Dec. 26, 2000

MILWAUKEE-Fanta Cooper (Oklahoma City, Okla./Westmoore), a senior defender on the UWM women's soccer team this past season, has been selected to participate in the 2001 Umbro Select All-Star Classic to be played in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., February 1-4.

Held annually, Umbro Select features top senior collegiate players from throughout the United States selected to play in the all-star games. Professional coaches of the newly-formed WUSA league will be on site for the training and games, and will hold a combine and second draft into the league.

Umbro Select places the collegiate womens' players on one of three regional teams: west, east, and central. Selected to the central team, Cooper is the only member of the MCC picked to participate, and will represent Wisconsin along with UW-Madison's Ali Wagnor.

Recently named to the All-Great Lakes Region team for the third consecutive year, Cooper played a pivotal role this past season in the Panthers' defense that shutout six opponents while recording two assists. She was named (Co-) MCC Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, while earning MCC All-Tournament recognition. She was twice named the conference's Player of the Week for outstanding performances during the regular season.

Named team MVP this season for the second straight year, Cooper has played and started in every game for the Panthers during her four-year career (80 games).

She is the second player from the UWM women's program picked to play in the Umbro Select All-Star Classic. Lisa Krzykowski, who was recently drafted to the Atlanta Beat of the WUSA, participated in February of 1998.