By Patty Topliffe

The women’s soccer team suffered a great loss this season – much greater than dropping a game or temporarily losing a player to injury. The Huskies lost a teammate and friend. Bob and Vicki Cochrane lost a daughter.

Kim Cochrane had just completed her freshman year at Northeastern University, and was training hard for her second season when she died in a car accident on July 5 in her hometown of Lynnfield, Mass.

Undoubtedly, dealing with the loss of a teammate affected the group during entire season, especially in the beginning.

“The scrimmage against UMass-Amherst in the pre-season was the most difficult,” said Northeastern soocer director Matz said.

“The freshmen on the team who didn’t know Cochrane well were especially patient and did a great job supporting the team,” said sophomore Liz Dyjack, who lost Cochrane and former high school teammate Stephanie Santos over the summer.

“It was hard because they were the freshmen, and we were supposed to be the leaders,” she said. “But, it was hard to lead them when we had other things on our mind.”

Cochrane’s parents attended the Northeastern home games this past season. They also showed their support at the America East playoff game in Hartford and saw the men’s soccer team clinch the America East title on Sunday.

“Seeing Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane at the games was sad at first,” Matz said. “But as the season went on, you could see that they were doing better. Now it’s an inspiration.”

Dyjack agreed.

“Even though we knew it was really hard for them, they still came and supported us,” Dyjack said.

Mr. Cochrane described Kim as the love of his life and his favorite subject to talk about. He coached her in soccer, baseball and basketball when she was growing up.

Cochrane was determined to play soccer for a Division 1 college, even though she played for a Division 3 high school

“She wouldn’t even look at Division 2 or 3 schools,” Mrs. Cochrane said. “She always wanted to challenge herself. Someone once said that no one from Lynnfield could play in a Division 1 college. She made up her mind right then and did it.”

Kim wanted to live in a busy city. Matz recruited her after seeing her play in the 2000 Eastern Massachusetts All-Star game at Boston University. He described her as being a good defender, who had potential of becoming a starting sweeper this season or next.

Cochrane had a rough freshman year. She came into the pre-season hurt, and then got injured again midway through the season.

“She didn’t have an opportunity to show herself and what she had to give, but she was still positive for everyone else,” Dyjack said. “Even if she was on the bench, she would get us water and tell us what a great job we were doing.”

After undergoing surgery, she stayed in Boston last summer to workout.

“She wanted so bad to come back and play for the team and get a starting position,” Dyjack said. “She worked so hard.”

Matz was driving to Maine with his family for vacation when Cochrane’s dad called and told him about her accident.

“Kim was an awesome all-around girl who always wanted to make people laugh. She was all for the team. She loved to hang out with the players. She wanted to have a good time,” Dyjack said.

“She was very compassionate toward her friends,” Mrs. Cochrane said.

Cochrane was undecided her freshman year, but she knew she wanted to pursue a profession relating to sports or helping people. She volunteered in a Dorchester after school program last year to work with kids.

“She got along with kids really well,” Dyjack said. “She had a way of understanding them.”

In high school, Cochrane was a Cape Ann League All-Star three times; was on the 2000 All-State Soccer Team, and was an EMass Coaches Association All-Star player. She had over 100 points in soccer when she graduated.

The MVP trophy at the Harry Agganis All-Star Classics in July was renamed the “Kim Cochrane MVP trophy” in her honor, as she captained a team in the Agganis games as a senior.

Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane started the Kimberly Lynn Cochrane Charity Foundation. They hosted a fundraiser on Oct. 12 at the Paradise Golf Drive Range in Middleton, which raised $40,000 despite inclement weather. The money raised will benefit students for a number of causes.

“This has been a really hard year on the women’s soccer team,” Matz said. “Other good friends and family members have been in serious accidents or died.”

The Huskies dedicated the Oct. 24 game against Boston University to everything that happened to the team this year.

“I couldn’t imagine what they’ve gone through,” Matz said. “Through dealing with tragedy, the team has become closer.”