Maryland Community Newspapers Online
Bethesda-Chevy Chase senior forward Hannah Cooper and sophomore midfielder Alex Doll are two of the smallest players on the soccer field in Montgomery County, standing 5-foot-2 and 5-4, respectively. But together, they've forged one of its most powerful scoring tandems the past two years.
Cooper, 17, and Doll, 15, combined for 19 goals in the Barons' 2007 Class 3A West Region runner-up season, in which they ultimately fell in penalty kicks to Frederick County nemesis Urbana. Last fall marked the first undefeated regular season in coach Rob Kurtz's eight-year tenure.
This year, they've been even better. Doll — a member of the U-15 U.S. National Team — and Cooper — the team's leading scorer in each of her three seasons — have accounted for 15 of B-CC's 31 goals in 2008. The Barons (5-0) outscored their first five opponents 31-4, with Cooper knocking in 11 and Doll tallying four with five assists.
The two now aim to lead B-CC to its first state title since 2004, and third overall.
"The element they add to this team, they're great," Kurtz said. "It's really rare to have two girls [like that]. I mean, this whole team is rare, but these two stand out, to have two girls of this caliber."
However, mere statistics aren't all that distinguish Doll and Cooper, who scored two goals in B-CC's 5-0 win over Paint Branch Sept. 24. They possess all the skills of great soccer players: speed, nifty ball control, fearlessness, strength, field vision and awareness. Most importantly, they have the smarts to know how to use their talents effectively.
They not only look to score themselves, but to set their teammates up, too.
"Hannah has grown from a freshman who could score and finish in the box to such a complete player," said Kurtz. "And Alex, last year, did amazing things. I was overwhelmed by what she could do. And this year, she's already exceeded my expectations."
The Barons like to knock the ball around. They use the width of the field efficiently; they swing the ball side-to-side and front-to-back. And Doll plays an integral role linking the team's defense to Cooper and the Barons' striker line up top.
"Alex is just amazing," Cooper said. "She's more of a comfort than anything. Sometimes the team looks to me and is like, ‘Oh, we'll be fine because Hannah is going to score.' But I look to her and am like, ‘Oh, we'll be fine because Alex is going to set me up.' …
"Some people are good because they do one thing really well. Alex is a combination of everything."
Doll was just as quick to compliment Cooper, who will play soccer in college next year, but is currently undecided as to where.
"Hannah is an incredible goal scorer; she's ridiculous," Doll said. "She's really fast too. Anything I throw up there, she'll get to. We connect pretty well."
Doll and Cooper aren't the biggest or strongest players on the field at any given time. But they have the speed and skills to counter that. And their impact on Barons soccer far outweighs their physical stature.
"Hannah has just turned a corner and realized the potential for what she can do," Kurtz said. "A lot of girls leave B-CC and go on to successful Division I college careers. If she doesn't leave here as B-CC's best-ever player, she's definitely one of the best. She's so multidimensional. These two are outstanding scholar-athletes. No questions asked."
