Position Switch Becomes Revelation for Buffs, Cooper

BOULDER – Tori Cooper was always a forward, beginning with her formative days at South Torrance High School and continuing to her first two years at the University of Georgia. But something changed this season, a switch that rarely happens in soccer, let alone at the Division I level.

After losing defenders Hayley Hughes and Lizzy Herzl to graduation, University of Colorado coach Danny Sanchez knew that he had to find someone to help fill the void. Seeing what an elite physical presence Cooper is, Sanchez decided to move the senior to center-back, a massive change for the California native. But she flourished, and has become a mainstay in the back four for the CU women’s soccer team.

But what does Cooper, who transferred from Georgia to Colorado in time for the Buffs' 2013 campaign, think about this whole switch? A process such as moving from a forward position to one in the back would surely be difficult for any player. Not for Cooper, who embraced the position change, which occurred at the beginning of the season.

“It’s worked out well,” Cooper said. “I think it just kind of happened. I wasn’t really allowed to go contact yet because of my knee and Danny just threw me back there and said, ‘Tori, just play defense.’ So I stayed back there and they started to groom me and got me locked in and it kinda fit.”

While Cooper was always listed as a forward, Sanchez viewed her as more of a center midfielder with a very good defensive presence. Given CU’s solid defensive back line last season, Sanchez opted to play Cooper as a forward, utilizing her athleticism to the fullest.

“Last year, we were pretty set in the back, so with her athleticism we played her up top and she did some good things in stretches and as we got into this season,” Sanchez recalls. “Losing a couple senior backs in Lizzy and Hayley, we were looking for more options and we started working her there in preseason. She showed well and battled for her starting spot that first few games and has established herself and done well.”

Cooper’s physical presence has always been her strong suit, but defense plays to her strengths in the best way. The senior is fast, strong in the air and on the tackle, and provides a constant spark of energy in the back. Senior goalkeeper Kate Scheele has noticed the change in the backline and what Cooper brings to the team. It’s more than just a physical aspect, but a mental one as well.

“She brings fortitude, like a solid brick wall which is awesome for me,” says Scheele. “I know that if somehow something happens, she’ll be there to get the ball out from behind me if I get beat.”

That determination manifested itself in the Buffs’ last four road games. A 1-1 weekend in southern California against the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins saw Cooper come back to Boulder with Pac-12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors. And her contributions in the back helped lead the Buffs to two straight wins in Oregon the following week.

After a tough 3-0 loss at No. 4 Stanford on Thursday, Cooper, Scheele, and the rest of the backline will regroup for a challenging five-game homestand to end the regular season beginning Friday, Oct. 24, against Washington State (3 p.m.). While the defender has had an impressive season so far, netting two goals, Sanchez believes that there is still some work to be done.

“Her decision making out of the back is still a work in progress,” Sanchez explains. “Passing, when to pass out of pressure . . . but at the end of the day we’re just really looking for her to be a defender.”

Cooper has been rising to the challenge, constantly working to improve her own game, which in turn will elevate the team’s play.

“She’s spent a lot of time with her video, she’s worked hard to improve and understand tactically what we’re asking of our backs on and off the ball,” says Sanchez. “And like I said, her physical tools are different than every player we have on the team so I think she’s made the adjustments that’s helped overcome some of her tactical decisions.”

While the Buffs work through their Pac-12 schedule, posting an impressive 10-4 record, Cooper will continue to be a penciled-in starter at center-back. She didn’t think that she’d get switched from forward to defense, but she feels that it’s something that just feels right.

“Everything,” Cooper answers when asked about what she likes about defense. “I feel like the position plays to my strengths. I can use my speed, I can use my ability in the air and my strength on the ball more in that position than forward.”

Sanchez agrees, noting her strengths and the faith that he has in the senior from California.

“She’s in the back the rest of the stretch.”