By BYRON BEERS

Casey Copenhaver is considered one of the top goalkeepers anywhere in the state.

The Bixby senior and four-year starter posted 10 clean sheets last season, and was a big reason for the Spartans 15-3 record and appearance in the Class 6A state semifinals.

Copenhaver, whose twin brother, Carson, also plays soccer as a winger for Bixby, is established near the net and is also pretty good with his foot as he was a placekicker and punter on Bixby’s 2022 Class 6A-I state championship football team.

He’s a well-rounded athlete, having also experienced basketball and baseball through the years. He also uses his 6-foot-3 frame to his advantage.

“I think my biggest strength is my athleticism,” said Copenhaver, who has signed to play soccer at Rogers State where he plans on majoring in Criminal Justice. “I have played many different sports that have helped me with the skills needed to be a great goalkeeper. I am 6 foot, 3 inches tall with a 34-inch standing vertical, so it is very difficult to get the ball over me and I take up most of the frame.”

Spartans’ soccer head coach Long Nguyen ranks his standout goalie with the best in the state.

“Casey had his biggest breakout year last year,” Nguyen said. “He had 10 clean sheets last year and was also a major reason why we won the Southern Coast Cup 2022. He led the team to semifinals at state. He plays ECNL club soccer at Tulsa SC and is one of the top goalies in the state.

“Casey has cat-like reflexes, and it is very hard to beat him. Not only was Casey the goalie for the soccer team but he was also a kicker for the Bixby football team, which won state this year. Casey is a leader both on and off the field.”

Copenhaver, who has played soccer since the age of four, isn’t short on confidence either.

“I think that my confidence is the thing that has grown the most over these years of high school,” he said. “I go into every game and every save thinking I am the best. Because if you don’t believe in yourself nobody else will.”

He has a lengthy list of achievements.

He was a Tulsa All-World selection as a junior, a member of Bixby’s football academic state championship this past season, an all-conference selection as a sophomore and junior, an academic all-conference selection over the last three years, and also an academic state soccer champion in 2021 and 2022. He’s a three-year starter for Oklahoma ODP and a four-year member of the Tulsa Soccer Club ECNL team.

Copenhaver has two special memories from last season, including his performance against Union in the state playoffs.

“My most memorable moments in high school soccer are both from last season,” he said. “The team went to a tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama and we stayed in a condo on the beach. We won the tournament without getting scored on in all three games. 

“Next would be when I saved three penalties against Union in the quarterfinals of the playoffs last year to advance to the semis. We had the most fans we ever have had before and doing that in front of a big crowd was really special to me.”

Copenhaver’s daily schedule is a grind, between soccer and school duties. In the classroom, he carries a 4.4 GPA.

“Balancing time for high school soccer, club soccer, and school is pretty difficult,” he said. “I have TCC English in the mornings and an online TCC Criminal Justice class. Then I go to Bixby for math and weightlifting, then I have my first practice with the high school. Three days out of the week, I have club soccer practice after high school. So, I am usually up late studying and doing all of my homework. Just have to find time anywhere to put in work.”

Copenhaver, who likes to mimic English professional goalie Jordan Pickford, wants to use his Criminal Justice degree to get a job as a special agent for the FBI or DEA. In his rare free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends.–