Spring Break
Koch loses battle with lung cancer
Brett Fischer
Issue date: 6/27/08 Section: News
Laura Meikle Koch, 28, one of the greatest players in Drexel women's soccer history, died June 13 from lung cancer at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.
"It was a total shock for this to happen to someone so young," Koch's former soccer coach at Drexel, Ray Goon, wrote in an e-mail. "It's just not right."
Koch, who played for the Dragons from 1998 to 2001, left as Drexel's all-time leader in goals (16) and points (39). She tallied a single-game record three goals Oct. 27, 1998 against St. Peter's.
After graduating Drexel in 2002, Koch worked for the Veterinary Referral Center in Frazer, a 24-hour emergency care center, and loved to nurture animals.
"She was definitely a special person," Dan Simmons, associate athletic director of recreation, said. "I remember her at the end of her career. She was the type of person you wanted on a Drexel team. She was always full of energy and always smiling."
When the Drexel soccer family found out in early March that Laura was diagnosed with cancer, several people sent e-mails inquiring as to how they could help through her battle. From that, a donation for her benefit, www.supportlaura.org, was created and everyone contributed.
"'La' was a great player and was infectious," Goon said. "She was a fierce competitor and would do whatever it took to win. It was a pleasure to coach such a player and I'm sure her teammates felt the same way about playing with her."
Koch is survived by her husband, Steve Koch, the associate director of athletics, whom she met at Drexel.
"If there is anyone who is built to deal with a tragedy, it's Steve Koch just because he's a person with incredible character," Simmons said. "He sees the positive in everything and is optimistic in life."
Laura will forever be known as someone with an incredible smile, a great sense of humor, but most importantly, a woman full of love and compassion.
"It was a total shock for this to happen to someone so young," Koch's former soccer coach at Drexel, Ray Goon, wrote in an e-mail. "It's just not right."
Koch, who played for the Dragons from 1998 to 2001, left as Drexel's all-time leader in goals (16) and points (39). She tallied a single-game record three goals Oct. 27, 1998 against St. Peter's.
After graduating Drexel in 2002, Koch worked for the Veterinary Referral Center in Frazer, a 24-hour emergency care center, and loved to nurture animals.
"She was definitely a special person," Dan Simmons, associate athletic director of recreation, said. "I remember her at the end of her career. She was the type of person you wanted on a Drexel team. She was always full of energy and always smiling."
When the Drexel soccer family found out in early March that Laura was diagnosed with cancer, several people sent e-mails inquiring as to how they could help through her battle. From that, a donation for her benefit, www.supportlaura.org, was created and everyone contributed.
"'La' was a great player and was infectious," Goon said. "She was a fierce competitor and would do whatever it took to win. It was a pleasure to coach such a player and I'm sure her teammates felt the same way about playing with her."
Koch is survived by her husband, Steve Koch, the associate director of athletics, whom she met at Drexel.
"If there is anyone who is built to deal with a tragedy, it's Steve Koch just because he's a person with incredible character," Simmons said. "He sees the positive in everything and is optimistic in life."
Laura will forever be known as someone with an incredible smile, a great sense of humor, but most importantly, a woman full of love and compassion.
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