Paula Cooke made her presence felt on the defensive side of the ball through her ability to create disruption. She consistently looked for opportunities to challenge opponents and showed a knack for delivering sneaky checks that helped generate turnovers and break up offensive possessions. Cooke stayed active throughout the game and demonstrated strong defensive instincts, making her a player who could impact momentum with timely plays. Her ability to pressure ball carriers and create uncertainty for opposing offenses helped her stand out among the midfield group.