University Academy and Ewing Marion Kauffman School’s soccer team has been a co-op for six years. The co-op team even uses Kauffman’s mascot and goes by the Lady Knights.
Head coach Jordan McLarthy, who teaches fourth grade at Kauffman, has been the coach for three out of the six years. With her assistant coaches Natalie Dykmann from Kauffman and Kaylin Henderson from UA by her side, the coaches are working to improve the girls’ soccer team each year.
Last season the team had all Kauffman coaches, which was hard on both teams communication wise, but this year has been different. The Lady Knights welcomed Coach Henderson as a new member on the coaching staff. Coach Henderson teaches fifth grade English at UA. Being a first time coach for a co-op can be difficult, but she has learned to make the most of it.
“I love it,” said Coach Henderson. “The girls are so kind and supportive. I’ve learned a lot about coaching in the short time that I’ve been doing it, as well.”
When it comes to keeping her team motivated, Coach Henderson said, “I use as much positive feedback as possible. I try to point out things that are done well as well as giving grace for mistakes.”
She does this because she has discovered that telling athletes what to do instead of what not to do makes them more likely to trust her and put up their best foot forward.
There are many pros and cons to the two schools working together as a co-op on and off the field. Coach Henderson said some of the benefits of being a co-op include greater opportunities to connect with students and staff, build community and collaborate on sports. However, she acknowledged the challenge of the schools’ different release times and suggested a co-op middle school team for increased soccer participation.
There are only three UA girls on the team, including Alyvia Taylor, Elysha Graves and Alisa Garrett, who are all juniors.
The team has faced opponents including Center High School, Grandview High School, Smithton High School, Van Horn High School, Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, Guadalupe Centers Charter, East High School, Mid-Buchanan High School and Cristo Rey High School.
Although they have more losses than wins, they have picked up several solid victories. When playing Van Horn, the Lady Knights won 8-0.
They also won when the co-op team faced Cristo Rey.
“We encouraged each other to win a game and ended up winning 4-0,” Kauffman senior Aniyah Rowe said.
They were able to work together moving the ball down the field, leading them to a 4-0 victory. With this win, the team secured second place at the Center Shootout. This excited the players because the team finished in third place the previous year.
Make sure to come to the next home game. This April 28, the Lady Knights will play East at 5 p.m. Senior Night will be two weeks later on May 14, when they will face Cristo Rey for a rematch at 5 p.m. It will be the must see game of the season.
