Sophomore energizes Cougars, protects net - by Joachim Clarke

Cami Koski

Meeting Cami Koski, one might not expect that the soft spoken, sandy haired sophomore was one of the fiercest competitors to don the Cougar red for the UH soccer team. One might be further surprised that Koski holds the Cougars’ single season record for goals against average (0.63) and wins (11) as a goalkeeper.

Originally from Missouri City, Koski played club soccer for the Houston Express while attending Elkins High School. She said her decision to attend UH was influenced by a number of factors including her family.

“Family is a big part of it,” Koski said. “I’m very close to my family and so I wanted to stay close to home. When I came to visit I liked the atmosphere and saw the team chemistry.”

Koski majors in Health with a minor in Psychology. With this she said she would like use her degree toward a career in sports medicine. But for the time being, Koski said she just enjoys playing for the Cougar team.

“I love the adrenaline rush when I’m about to step onto the field to play,” Koski said. “I love going out there and making a difference.”

Koski does her best to transfer some of that energy to the team before each game. Before the Cougar squad takes the field, the team gathers around Koski who leads them with the pregame pump up speech. Koski says that what she says in the middle of the huddle varies from week to week.

“Everybody puts in their two cents,” Koski said. “I try to get everybody as pumped up to get the win as I can. Just reminding them what we play for and getting them riled up.”

Koski redshirted her freshman year which gave her time to develop her skills before becoming the starting goaltender the following year. Cougar head coach Susan Bush said that the extra year allowed Koski to become an elite goalkeeper in the conference.

Cami Koski

“She was really raw when we recruited her out of high school,” Bush said. “Redshirting her freshman year was a blessing. She achieved all kinds of accolades last year and she’s doing well this year.”

Last year, Koski started 19 of the Cougars’ 20 games allowing 13 goals and posting 9 shutouts in the process. The seasons’ accomplishment earned her All-Conference USA second team and Conference USA All-Freshman team honors at the seasons’ end.

This season, the Cougars currently sit at 11^th in the conference standings with an overall record of 4-10-0. But Coach Bush said that the team record is not indicative of Koski’s individual performance.

“She’s a leader,” Bush said. “She’s a hard worker and she’s as fit as some of our field players which is really difficult to accomplish as a goalkeeper. She does well for us.”

Despite their record, Koski says that nothing can take away from the camaraderie she has with her teammates.

“This is my family away from home,” Koski said. “It’s comfortable.”

- Joachim Clark

The Daily Cougar