If senior forward Kristy Coppes had a nickel for each of the honors she’s earned and records she’s broken in her career with the BGSU women’s soccer team, her piggy bank would be full. As the soccer season draws to a close, Coppes may be leaving the squad, but her name will remain in the record books.
Prior to this season, Coppes held school records for career goals scored (34), match-winning goals in a season (4), and career match-winning goal (8). She also shared school records for goals in a season (12) and matches played in a season (23).
Coppes didn’t waste any time racking up more records this season. Her six goals in BG’s season opener against Duquesne broke the school record for goals in a match. A match winning goal against Buffalo on October 17 marked her thirteenth goal of the season, giving her sole possession of the single season scoring record. Coppes said this record was among her proudest accomplishments of her career.
“I am proud of finally breaking record for goals in a season. I’ve been trying to do it for four years,” she said.
She credits her coaches for challenging her and pushing her to get better each season.
“When [the coaches] were recruiting me, they put a challenge on me in the beginning,” Coppes said. “They told me the [single season scoring] record is twelve and said, ‘see if you can beat it.’ They just make me want to work harder. Every year they’ve set up goals for me to see if I can achieve them.”
Playing hard on the soccer field is nothing new to Coppes, who has been playing the sport for 16 years. She came to Bowling Green based on the level of competition, her positive recruiting experience and the proximity to her family.
“I knew I wanted to play Division I soccer,” Coppes said. “My parents and grandpa are a big part of my life. They were able to come to the games since BG is so close to home.”
Division I soccer proved to be a perfect fit for Coppes, who has received numerous individual honors. She was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week in each of the last three seasons and was named MAC Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. Coppes also earned MAC All-Tournament honors in both 2002 and 2003.
Coppes has helped the Falcons to two consecutive MAC Tournament appearances. In 2003, she scored the Falcons’ first ever goal in a MAC Tournament championship match.
This season Coppes had led the team in goals and points. She also leads the squad in shots, shots on goal and shooting percentage.
While her skills on offense leave little to be desired, she understands the crucial role her teammates have played in helping her realize success. Without teammates to feed her the ball, she wouldn’t be such an effective scorer, Coppes said.
“We didn’t lose a lot of people from last year. We know how to play together and that makes us a lot closer,” Coppes said. “They know everything. They know what kind of runs I make, where to place the ball; they know what I like and what I don’t like.”
Despite her many records and achievements, Coppes said her most memorable moment in her career was “beating Buffalo my sophomore year in the tournament because of what happened with Leslie [Dawley].”
Coppes’ goal in that match tied the game and helped BG to a victory. In an earlier match against Buffalo, Dawley died after collapsing in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
Soccer has been a part of Coppes’ life for so long, she doesn’t plan to live without it after her collegiate career.
“I plan on moving home after the summer, going back to school at the University of Findlay and getting a graduate assistant [coaching] job with the women’s team at the University,” Coppes said.
Coppes is sure to be successful as she continues her career in soccer. She has left a strong legacy throughout her career at BGSU and is sure to be missed by both players and coaches next year.
