SUPER COOPER Kara Cooper has 113 goals in soccer and on the cusp of getting 1,000 points in basketball.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — If a documentry on Kara Cooper’s high school career were filmed, it would start with her freshman season at Youngstown Christian when she scored 14 goals.

As a sophomore, it would show the midfielder adding another 39. Zoom to Cooper’s junior season when she added 36 to her total.

Fast forward to August 30, when the senior went over the 100-goal mark during an 8-2 win over Conneaut.

Following Youngstown Christian’s tie with Pymatuning Valley Sept., 11, Cooper brought her season total to 24 and a career total of 113.

During the season opener Aug. 23, Cooper scored a school-record eight goals during a 15-4 romp of East Liverpool High. The 15 goals were also a school mark.

Parallels varsity status

Incidentally, Cooper’s high school career parallels Youngstown Christian’s first four years as a member of the OHSAA.

The Eagles were a co-ed program during the five years before their sanctioning. The team is 22-23-4 over the last four years.

Cooper’s not a ball hog, said coach Lynda Ott.

“She’s not a ball hog. Her sister [Kristi] is up front and there are several games where Kara passes off to ensure that Kristi, a sophomore, and others can score.”

Assistant coach Charity Griffith concurred.

“Our first objective is to get her the ball mainly because she has a long kick,” Griffith said. “Kara’s usually very willing to give anyone the ball, but she’ll make sure they’re in the right position first. She doesn’t want to give it away if it’s not going to amount to anything.”

Kara described the sister scenario.

“She’s fast, so, a lot of times, the defense pulls its line up and I’m able to hit over their heads. Kristi is able to control it, dribble in and score.”

Conversely, Kristi will help Kara, as was the case against Harding on Sept. 6.

Cross off corner

“She had a nice cross off a corner kick and I hit it in,” Kara said. “It crossed the net and I was able to hit it in with my foot. We play off of each other.”

Kara’s value doesn’t end there.

Because of her freedom on the field, she’s able to cover a lot of ground and switch roles.

“She’s a phenomenal defender,” Orr said. “In the middle, she’s able to stop advancement of the ball.”

Teammates who usually start along with the Coopers are: seniors Eleni Yargo and Savonnah Hill, juniors Gina Mineo and Katie Hartman and sophomores Alyssa Angelo, Kayla LaGamba, Jessica Driscoll, Devanie Womack and Kaitlyn Vestal and freshman Schanvel Wall.

“She’s definitely an athlete,” athletic director Greg Finnegan said.

He noted that the Eagles, a Division IV school for most sports but football (Div. VI), aren’t dodging anybody.

Since there’s no soccer in the East Suburban Conference, Finnegan compiled an independent schedule, including teams such as Bristol, Harding, Lakeview, Liberty, Crestview, Badger, Springfield, JFK and Ursuline.

Team record

In soccer, Youngstown Christian, currently 5-0-1, is Div. II.

Kara Cooper, a product of the Austintown junior system, also played with Youngstown Elite Soccer, Phoenix Soccer Club and the Olympic Development Program.

Adding to her versatility is the fact that Kara, who turned 18 Sept. 5, is on the verge of joining the 1,000-point plateau in basketball.

She’s currently at 993.

“Hopefully, I’ll reach it in our first game,” Kara said.

Kara views her success as a vehicle to boost the exposure of Youngstown Christian, a cross-cultural school owned by Tabernacle Highway Church.

“A lot of people don’t know where we are, so I’m thankful to be able to bring publicity to the school.”

bassetti@vindy.com