Meghan VanLoan

With a young defense in front of her, senior field hockey goalie Meghan VanLoan not only has taken control in the defensive end with her aggressive style and booming kick stops, but she has also emerged as a teacher.

“Meghan has been in the zone game after game this year in her goalie gear. She is confident and she is certainly playing up to my expectations,” Lake Region varsity coach Pauline Webb said. “We talked this summer about the responsibility she was going to have as goalie this year and she said she was ready. She sure has been!”

Averaging close to 14 saves per game, Meghan has recorded some “incredible ones.”

“She’s come out of the goal much more this year to cut down the angle of her attackers, and she’s been successful with that,” Coach Webb said. “We are just over the halfway mark of our season and Meghan already has 109 saves recorded. That’s 32 more saves than her last two years combined.”

Coach Webb pointed out that the Laker program lost some great defenders to graduation last year and with the lowest number of players in the history of LRFH turning out for the team this fall, she had to make some formation changes and has had to use inexperienced freshmen to fill some of those defensive positions.

Despite being under great pressure, Meghan VanLoan has stood tall in crunch time and has tried to help her rookie teammates — be it directing them to be in the right spots or offering words of encouragement — which is a main reason the Lakers notched victories over Greely and Poland.

While fans may see an intense and competitive athlete patrolling the goal area, there is an outstanding young lady behind the mask and pads.

“Meghan is not only a great goalie, but a great person and quite the entertainer. She has great stories and tells them well,” Coach Webb said. “I know she thinks I’m on her too much, but it’s because I care and I’m trying to make her a well-rounded and responsible young lady…Love you Meg!”

In recognition of her strong work ethic, determination, commitment and good sportsmanship, Meghan is this week’s Boosters and Hancock Lumber “Player of the Week.” Each week, a Lake Region athlete is recognized for his/her dedication (does more than what is asked), work ethic, coachability and academic good standing. Recipients receive a specially-designed t-shirt, sponsored by Hancock Lumber.

The VanLoan File

Name: Meghan VanLoan

Year in School: Senior

Town: Casco

Parents: Nicki and Richard VanLoan

Sports you play: Field hockey, basketball, tennis, lacrosse

School organizations: National Honor Society, Class of 2015 secretary, Varsity Club

1. Best piece of advice you have received? “To always give 110% of everything I do,” — Coach Webb.
2. Who is your biggest fan? My mom. She’s there to support me at every game, and she’s always the loudest one on the sideline.
3. I know I have had a good sports day when…People from the other teams compliment me. It feels good when people besides my team notices.
4. What is your favorite sport? Tennis, because it’s a sport I can play the rest of my life and it’s really fun.
5. If I could change one thing about myself as an athlete, I would change…I wish I was like three inches taller for basketball.
6. What qualities make for a good teammate and whom do you consider a good teammate? Always encouraging and always positive even when we’re down. Abby Scott-Mitchell — she pushes us to do our best.
7. What do you believe you bring to your team? I think I bring positivity, laughter and a lot of saves. I work as hard as I can in games.
8. What characteristics do you feel make for a good coach? Always being positive, pushing us to do our best and give everything we have to be encouraging and supportive.