She’s just 15, is in year 10 at school and playing her first Westfield W-League season but Melbourne Victory’s Kyra Cooney-Cross is quickly becoming a starlet to watch in the 2017/18 Season.
In just her second Westfield W-League match, Cooney-Cross caught the eye as Victory were narrowly beaten 1-0 by defending champions City in Friday’s Melbourne Derby at AAMI Park.
The talented teenager showed tremendous talent and incredible maturity on the big stage, tormenting City at times with her speed, power and amazing close control.
She was unfortunate not to beat Lydia Williams with a shot in the second half after a fantastic run from almost halfway.
It’s no wonder coach Jeff Hopkins has had no hesitation throwing her in on the big stage right from the start of the season.
And all this while juggling Year 10 exam time at Surf Coast Secondary College.
“It’s been really hard for training five times a week,” Cooney-Cross told Fox Sports.
“Missing out on school, it’s hard for me to catch up.
“The girls, we did really well [against City],” she added.
“Obviously City had more possession…I find it very hard to play against internationals but I felt like I did pretty well.”
She certainly did.
And her Victory teammates also put up a great fight against the defending champions, before a late header from Rebekah Stott gave City Derby bragging rights.
“It was a good game, they came at us a lot,” City’s match-winner Stott said.
“I thought we had many chances but we just couldn’t finish them.
“It was an amazing ball in [for the goal]. I jumped, put my head there and it went in so I was happy with that.”
City are at home against next weekend with a clash against Newcastle Jets on Sunday, while Victory have a bye.