Ava Cook Bio
Ava Leigh Cook (born October 3, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Carolina Ascent of the USL Super League. A native of Battle Creek, Michigan, she built a prolific scoring record across her college career before being selected by the Chicago Red Stars in the second round of the 2022 NWSL Draft. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, Cook has been a regular contributor at both the college and professional levels, known for her finishing instincts in front of goal.
Cook came to national attention through a record-setting college tenure, where she became one of the most productive scorers in NCAA Division II history. After four seasons with the Grand Valley State Lakers, she finished her collegiate career with a single season at Michigan State before entering the professional ranks. In 2022, she also represented the United States at the under-23 level, marking her arrival on the broader American soccer stage.
Early Life and Background
Ava Leigh Cook was born on October 3, 1998, in Battle Creek, Michigan, where she grew up and developed her love for the game. She attended Lakeview High School, where she competed in both soccer and basketball, two sports that helped shape her athletic foundation. The combination of team play and individual competition during her school years contributed to her well-rounded approach to soccer.
Outside of school, Cook played youth soccer for Midwest United, a club program that allowed her to train and compete at a higher level. Her time with Midwest United helped bridge the gap between high school competition and the college game, giving her exposure to strong regional talent. These formative experiences in Michigan laid the groundwork for her future success at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Soccer
Cook’s path to professional soccer began at Grand Valley State University, where she played four seasons of NCAA Division II college soccer from 2017 to 2021. During her time with the Grand Valley State Lakers, she helped the program capture Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) titles in each of her four seasons, establishing herself as a consistent winner. Her scoring numbers steadily grew, with 24 goals as a sophomore in 2018 earning her second-team All-American and first-team All-GLIAC honors.
As a junior in 2019, Cook led all of NCAA Division II with 29 goals and was named a first-team All-American, cementing her reputation as one of the most dangerous forwards in the country at her level. Seeking a final collegiate challenge, she transferred to Michigan State University for a fifth season in 2021. Playing in the Big Ten, she led Michigan State with seven goals and was recognized as a second-team All-Big Ten selection.
Following her decorated college career, Cook declared for the 2022 NWSL Draft. The Chicago Red Stars selected her 18th overall in the second round, giving her the opportunity to begin her professional career in one of the top women’s soccer leagues in the world. Her college resume made her one of the most accomplished scorers available in that draft class.
Ava Cook Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Cook’s early career unfolded at Grand Valley State, where she quickly became a central figure for the Lakers. Her sophomore campaign in 2018, in which she led the GLIAC with 24 goals, announced her as a rising star in Division II. She followed that with an even stronger junior season, scoring 29 goals and earning first-team All-American recognition while leading the entire division in scoring.
After that historic junior year, Cook decided to test herself at a higher level by transferring to Michigan State for her final year of eligibility. Despite the jump in competition, she adapted quickly, leading the Spartans in goals and earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. The combination of sustained excellence at Grand Valley State and a productive season in the Big Ten positioned her as an attractive professional prospect.
NWSL Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Cook began her National Women’s Soccer League career with the Chicago Red Stars in 2022 after being drafted 18th overall. She quickly earned a place in the team’s rotation, appearing in 19 of the 24 NWSL matches that season and establishing herself as a regular contributor. Her debut year demonstrated that her college scoring form could translate to the professional game.
In 2023, Cook built on that foundation with 20 appearances, taking on an even larger role within the Red Stars lineup. Her growing influence in the attack helped solidify her status as a reliable forward option for the club. By the end of her second professional season, she had become a regular starter, and the Chicago coaching staff continued to rely on her presence in the final third.
Chicago Stars Era (2022–2025)
Cook’s tenure with the Chicago Stars spanned four professional seasons, during which the club rebranded from the Chicago Red Stars to Chicago Stars FC. The early portion of her time with the team was marked by consistent appearances and growing responsibility, as she transitioned from a rotational player to a starter. Her performances across 2022 and 2023 reflected her development into a dependable attacking contributor.
The 2024 season proved to be a difficult turning point. In mid-April, after appearing in three matches, Cook tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), forcing her to miss the remainder of the year. The injury interrupted her momentum and required an extended recovery period, but she worked her way back into contention for the following season.
At the end of 2025, Cook departed the Stars. Across her four years in Chicago, she made 51 NWSL appearances and scored 6 goals, leaving a meaningful mark on the franchise’s recent history. Her time in Chicago combined steady production, resilience through injury, and consistent professional growth.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Cook’s career came during the 2019 college season, when she led all of NCAA Division II with 29 goals and was named a first-team All-American. Her selection 18th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft marked another milestone, as she became a full professional. In June 2022, she was called up to the United States under-23 team, scoring her first international goals against India and Sweden, further establishing her credentials on the national stage.
Ava Cook Career Wins
Ava Cook’s career is highlighted by sustained success at the college level, where she won four consecutive GLIAC conference titles with Grand Valley State University. Those championships demonstrated her ability to perform in high-stakes matches and contribute to team success year after year. Her individual accolades during that span, including All-American selections, reflected her status as one of the top forwards in NCAA Division II.
College Highlights
Cook’s college highlights begin with her four GLIAC titles at Grand Valley State, a streak of conference success that ran from 2017 through 2021. Her sophomore season featured 24 goals and a second-team All-American nod, while her junior year produced a Division II-leading 29 goals and a first-team All-American honor. At Michigan State in 2021, she closed her college career with a team-leading seven goals and second-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Ava Cook Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Cook was raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, the community where she first developed as a player. Her athletic foundation was shaped in part by her high school years at Lakeview, where she played both soccer and basketball. Public information about her immediate family, including parents and siblings, is not widely documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Cook’s final year with the Chicago Stars, following her recovery from the ACL injury that ended her 2024 campaign. She worked to reestablish herself within the team’s attacking rotation as the season progressed. By the end of the year, she had completed her four-season run with the club, finishing her Chicago tenure with 6 goals across 51 NWSL appearances.
Her contributions during 2025 helped provide stability in the forward group as the team navigated its rebrand and roster transitions. Cook’s experience and familiarity with the NWSL environment remained valuable assets throughout the campaign. The season ultimately closed a chapter in Chicago and set the stage for her next professional move.
Looking ahead, Cook signed with Carolina Ascent of the USL Super League in January 2026, embarking on a new phase of her career. The move offered her an opportunity to be a central figure for a new club and continue developing her game at a different competitive level. Her professional journey from Battle Creek to the global women’s soccer landscape reflects years of dedication and consistent performance.