NAOTB: Abby Grace Cooper Q&A
Aug 31, 2017 | Soccer
Each week 12thMan.com will touch base with a newcomer to the Aggie soccer squad. This week freshman Abby Grace Cooper chatted about her early days of soccer and her arrival at Texas A&M.
What are your earliest memories of playing soccer?
"I remember playing on my first rec team when I was about five. I've seen videos of myself playing when I was really little, dribbling and having a strong motivation and will to score. I was really intense and competitive about it."
When did you realize soccer was something you wanted to do long-term?
"I remember when I was eight years old I wanted to be a professional soccer player. I really wanted to play in college and it's always been something that has been unspoken from an early age."
When did you realize you were good enough to play Division I soccer?
"I think in middle school. I started going to national team camps and I realized that it was within my reach to go to one of my dream schools."
How was national team camp experience?
"It was a lot of pressure but it helped me grow as a player for sure. It was super exciting to be recognized for my hard work and my God-given talent. It was definitely an experience that I will always remember. They were about week-long camps and we did a bunch of technical drills and it was a lot of under pressure drills, drills that you had to be focused and put a lot of pressure on you to help you develop and grow."
What would you say your strengths are as a player?
"Probably the vision I have on the field as well as attacking and running at players, specifically 1-v-1."
What has the coaching staff been working with you on as far as individual improvement?
"Right now just my health overall because I have not been 100 percent. Outside of that, I've really been working on my speed of play and my decision making when I've been here. I've also been working on my mentality. I've been having a hard time putting pressure on myself but the coaches have been letting me play my game and loosen up."
When in the recruiting process did you decide to commit to Texas A&M?
"One of my good friends Addie (McCain) committed here. I had never been specifically interested in A&M. My parents grew up being Baylor fans and they went to Baylor so they were always reluctant for me to be an Aggie. Then whenever I started looking into the program I realized how strong it was. I came for a visit and I loved everything about it. I really loved how involved all the staff was and how the girls were super close with each other. It was spring break of my sophomore year that I realized that I was going go here and that this was the college for me."
What memories do you have from your recruiting trip?
"I remember dancing in the locker room because that's just always awkward. I remember all the girls coming up to me and introducing themselves. I remember being so intimidated and not really knowing what to say, but I also remember how genuine the coaches were how they wanted me to feel at home"
Were there any benefits from enrolling early?
"I think it was one of the best decisions I've made soccer-wise and just as whole a really good decision for me. I didn't think that there was much more for high school to offer me. Coming early helped my health with my knees and it was also a really good challenge for me as a person."
How have the upperclassmen helped with your adjustment?
"They've been super helpful and welcoming. I don't think that my experience would have been the same if they didn't act the way they did toward us. They made it a specific point to make us not afraid and not nervous."
What difference have you noticed from high school and club soccer and Division I collegiate soccer?
"College is just the next level. There are no really weak links on the teams. You have to be super focused and dedicated and ready to give it your all. In high school you try your hardest, but different people playing have different things they're looking to get out of the sport at that point. Some want to take it to the next level, some are just playing because it's something they enjoy doing. There's different levels of how much effort people are putting into it in high school and club soccer. I feel like college soccer is more intense and everyone is held accountable for their actions."
How did the first road trip go?
"It was really fun and an awesome experience because it was California and the weather was really nice. Getting two wins is also a really good feeling."
How excited are you for the home opener at Ellis Field?
"I'm really excited. I think it will be a different intensity and electricity in the stadium with all the fans that are going to be there. I know we've all been working super hard on and off the field for our first game."
What are your earliest memories of playing soccer?
"I remember playing on my first rec team when I was about five. I've seen videos of myself playing when I was really little, dribbling and having a strong motivation and will to score. I was really intense and competitive about it."
When did you realize soccer was something you wanted to do long-term?
"I remember when I was eight years old I wanted to be a professional soccer player. I really wanted to play in college and it's always been something that has been unspoken from an early age."
When did you realize you were good enough to play Division I soccer?
"I think in middle school. I started going to national team camps and I realized that it was within my reach to go to one of my dream schools."
How was national team camp experience?
"It was a lot of pressure but it helped me grow as a player for sure. It was super exciting to be recognized for my hard work and my God-given talent. It was definitely an experience that I will always remember. They were about week-long camps and we did a bunch of technical drills and it was a lot of under pressure drills, drills that you had to be focused and put a lot of pressure on you to help you develop and grow."
What would you say your strengths are as a player?
"Probably the vision I have on the field as well as attacking and running at players, specifically 1-v-1."
What has the coaching staff been working with you on as far as individual improvement?
"Right now just my health overall because I have not been 100 percent. Outside of that, I've really been working on my speed of play and my decision making when I've been here. I've also been working on my mentality. I've been having a hard time putting pressure on myself but the coaches have been letting me play my game and loosen up."
When in the recruiting process did you decide to commit to Texas A&M?
"One of my good friends Addie (McCain) committed here. I had never been specifically interested in A&M. My parents grew up being Baylor fans and they went to Baylor so they were always reluctant for me to be an Aggie. Then whenever I started looking into the program I realized how strong it was. I came for a visit and I loved everything about it. I really loved how involved all the staff was and how the girls were super close with each other. It was spring break of my sophomore year that I realized that I was going go here and that this was the college for me."
What memories do you have from your recruiting trip?
"I remember dancing in the locker room because that's just always awkward. I remember all the girls coming up to me and introducing themselves. I remember being so intimidated and not really knowing what to say, but I also remember how genuine the coaches were how they wanted me to feel at home"
Were there any benefits from enrolling early?
"I think it was one of the best decisions I've made soccer-wise and just as whole a really good decision for me. I didn't think that there was much more for high school to offer me. Coming early helped my health with my knees and it was also a really good challenge for me as a person."
How have the upperclassmen helped with your adjustment?
"They've been super helpful and welcoming. I don't think that my experience would have been the same if they didn't act the way they did toward us. They made it a specific point to make us not afraid and not nervous."
What difference have you noticed from high school and club soccer and Division I collegiate soccer?
"College is just the next level. There are no really weak links on the teams. You have to be super focused and dedicated and ready to give it your all. In high school you try your hardest, but different people playing have different things they're looking to get out of the sport at that point. Some want to take it to the next level, some are just playing because it's something they enjoy doing. There's different levels of how much effort people are putting into it in high school and club soccer. I feel like college soccer is more intense and everyone is held accountable for their actions."
How did the first road trip go?
"It was really fun and an awesome experience because it was California and the weather was really nice. Getting two wins is also a really good feeling."
How excited are you for the home opener at Ellis Field?
"I'm really excited. I think it will be a different intensity and electricity in the stadium with all the fans that are going to be there. I know we've all been working super hard on and off the field for our first game."
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