AKRON, Ohio – Sophomore forward Kara Cooper has joined the University of Akron women's soccer team this semester, after spending the last two seasons competing at Youngstown State. She enrolled in classes at UA in January and will spend the offseason training with the squad, becoming eligible for competition in the fall.

"I am very excited about the addition of Kara to the program and what that will bring to our team," Akron head coach Chris Pfau said. "She is an incredible athlete who will continue to develop and give us experience up front."

The Youngstown, Ohio, native was a Second-Team All-Horizon League pick and also earned a spot on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV Second Team this season, leading the Penguins with 18 points (team-high eight goals and team-high-tying two assists) as a starter in all 17 matches. She was also named Horizon League Player of the Week on Aug. 24, after being responsible for two goals and one assist in a 4-2 win over Howard.

Cooper's eight goals and 0.47 goals per match ranked second in the Horizon League, while her 1.06 points per match and 18 points were each fourth best in the conference.

As a freshman in 2008, she scored one goal in 19 matches played (started four times).

Cooper was a two-time all-conference selection at Youngstown Christian High School. As a senior she earned all-state recognition and she closed out her scholastic career with 139 goals scored.

"I have two years left and I am looking to make the most of those two years," Cooper said. "Conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances are something that is attainable at the University of Akron in those two years and I want to be a part of making history here. I am excited about being a part of the program and am confident that Coach Pfau and the coaching staff are well on their way to putting together an elite program."

Akron closed out the 2009 season, its ninth as a varsity sport, with a 9-7-2 overall record and a 7-3-1 mark versus Mid-American Conference competition. That record tied for second place overall in the league standings and made them East Division Champions. Those seven league victories were a program best and also provided its highest point accumulation in MAC play in school history (22). It was also the Zips’ first winning record in conference play. Read a complete season review.