Sarah Cooper Q&A
Sarah Cooper has anchored the defense all season. She and her fellow seniors will be honored prior to Saturday’s game against No. 1 North Carolina. Learn more about the four-year starter in this Q&A.
When did you start playing lacrosse and why did you pick up the sport?
I started playing around second or third grade because everyone in my area was playing and my friends were playing so I signed up and I started.
Did you have a favorite player or anybody you looked up to when you were younger?
I would watch so many different sports growing up. My dad and I used to watch UNC basketball all the time. I would admire every college player I watched playing Division I, I thought that was really cool and such an accomplishment for them.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I tried out different sports all through middle school and high school. I played a little basketball, cross country in seventh grade, field hockey, volleyball, but I played tennis and lacrosse all through high school.
Do you think playing other sports, especially tennis, helped on the lacrosse field?
Being a DI athlete now, I think you definitely want to play all different sports. It’s fun. You learn how to be a teammate and how to communicate and how to be a leader through all different sports.
When you were picking a college, why did you choose Syracuse?
When I visited, I just knew it was the place. When I came here I knew this was the one, it just came to me.
What are you majoring in?
I’m majoring in psychology with a minor in forensic science.
Off the field what are your hobbies?
In season I hang out with my roommates a lot. At home I like to walk my dogs, hangout with my sister and cook sometimes.
What do you think senior day will be like with your teammates?
It’s amazing and so special. The group of six girls – I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. It’s definitely a surreal moment and its bittersweet. It’s kind of sad but I’m also really happy and really proud of my five teammates.
What has it meant to you being a captain this year?
It’s been a leadership role that I’ve taken on and I really enjoy being captain and having my teammates come to me with things. It’s been like that throughout the year, someone is always asking me something, and being able to step up for the team in a different way, knowing my teammates are watching me, that’s been the biggest difference.
You were the most experienced person on the defense before this season. How has that unit come together?
I think it’s really come together. We’ve built chemistry from every game, that’s all we can hope to do and we have done a really good job of it. We have such a young group but they are super talented. I think we have done a great job building this chemistry together for the first time.
Who is your funniest teammate?
Sam Swart
Who is the best dancer?
Savannah Sweitzer
Which one of your teammates are you excited to watch in the last five regular-season games and postseason play?
Katie Goodale. She has been my buddy since she was a freshman and watching her grow and her translate everything she has learned onto the field has been amazing. I can’t wait to see what she does in the next five games and postseason.
