Missouri State head field hockey coach Catherine Ostoich announced the hiring of assistant coach Amy Cooke on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Cooke is a recent graduate from the University of Richmond, where she was a four year starter for the Spiders.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining the coaching staff at MSU,” Cooke added. “I have been holding out for a great opportunity like this to come along and I'm thrilled that it has.”
A native of Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, Cooke represented her country on the Ireland U-16 National Team, U-17 Junior Olympic National team and served as Vice Captain on the U-18 National Team. At MSU, Cooke’s responsibilities will include assisting Ostoich in day-to-day responsibilities and developing the team as a whole on the defensive side of the ball.
“I think it's important to get rid of the myth that an athlete is either an offensive or a defensive player,” said Cooke. “When the opposing team has possession of the ball, every player on the team becomes a defender. I hope to develop each player’s defensive skill and confidence. Great defense is the heart of any team.”
In her freshman campaign at Richmond, Cooke led the Spider defense and was fifth in the nation in shutouts per game (7). Cooke’s efforts landed her on the Atlantic 10 First-Team, All-Rookie Team and All-Tournament Team as well as the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-South Region Second-Team and Virginia SID All-State Second-Team.
Cooke started all 21 games as a sophomore and 22 games as a junior. During her second and third year, she also received NFHCA First-Team All-South Region honors. As a junior, Cooke was named to the A-10 All-Championship team.
In her senior season Cooke highlighted her athletic career, becoming one of the greatest defensive players in Richmond Spider history. Over the course of her career at Richmond, the four-time, A-10 First Team honoree accumulated 13 goals, 20 assists, 48 points and one defensive save. Cooke received 2015 A-10 Preseason All-Conference, All-A-10 First Team, VaSID All-State and Longstreth/NFHCA Third Team All-American honors as well as being named the Richmond Female Athlete of the Year.
“Getting to work alongside and learn from Catherine will be major in my development as a coach, and I truly believe that this program is on the road to achieving great things this season," Cooke added.
Cooke graduated from Richmond in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in history.
