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10/12/2018 12:00 AMMeghan Landon started playing soccer when she was five and has always had a passion for the pitch. Meghan brought her love for the sport to the Guilford girls’ soccer team and, during her tenure with the Indians, she’s developed the type of character that helps her deal with any adversity that comes her way.
Megan, a senior goalkeeper, worked her way through the Indians’ freshman and JV ranks to earn the starting job in net as a junior last year. She finished the season with seven shutouts, while helping Guilford qualify for both the SCC and Class L State tournaments.
Unfortunately, Meghan’s senior season abruptly came to an end when she suffered a broken leg in a game against Hand last month. However, Meghan is staying positive and doing everything she can to lead the Indians from the sidelines, because she cares so much about soccer and her squad.
“It was tough and heartbreaking finding out about the injury, but I have to persevere,” says Meghan. “Something about the sport of soccer just made it my passion. As a keeper, you have to have no fear, be strong, be talkative, and believe that your teammates will help you. You have to be a strong player and person.”
Guilford Head Coach Scott McMahon says that Meghan has always been a motivated athlete who puts her team first. McMahon feels that’s never been more evident based on Meghan’s unwavering dedication to the Indians in the aftermath of her injury.
“Meghan is as good a teammate as can be imagined. She has her personal goals, but never puts them before those of her teammates. Goalkeeping is a difficult and unique position and, coming into the 2017 season, she was not expected to earn the starting role. She improved in every facet. I hadn’t seen a keeper improve every aspect of their game quite like I saw with her,” McMahon says. “The day after [the injury], she attended a JV game and hasn’t missed a practice or game since. She doesn’t complain and is in it for her fellow goalkeepers.”
Meghan saw some sporadic time on the varsity turf as a sophomore. She then made it her mission to work year-round in an effort to get the starting nod for her junior campaign.
“My freshman year, I played for the freshman team and a couple of JV games. Then my sophomore season, I played JV and dressed for a couple varsity games,” Meghan says. “Going into my junior year, I wanted to step up my game and become the starter. I proved myself, and coach saw I stepped up.”
Serving as the final line of defense can be intimidating for goalies when opposing forwards approach the box. However, Meghan steps up in the face of that pressure, so she can come through in the clutch for her teammates.
“Being the last defender, you are relied upon a lot of the time, which can be tough,” says Meghan. “You have to be there for your team, but it’s nice being able to help them, and also seeing the whole field.”
No matter the speed, distance, or trajectory of any strike that comes her way, Meghan always makes sure that she stays light on her toes, while trusting her instincts in goal.
“If someone is dribbling the ball towards you, you have to stay strong. When it comes to whether to stay in net or come out, you have to trust what your gut tells you,” Meghan says. “You have to have good reflexes and be quick on your feet.”
After she graduates from Guilford, Meghan is going to attend Southern Connecticut State University, where she will study radiology with hopes of playing soccer for the Owls. In the interim, Meghan is going to stop at nothing to make sure that she’s ready for the next chapter of her life.
“Once my leg heals, I will take the winter to get back into my game and get back into the groove,” says Meghan. “I won’t let this setback get to me.”