Sept. 13, 2010
By Ryan Hehr
Like many other soccer players, senior goalkeeper Meghan Hackerson started playing the sport at a very young age, but she started protecting the goal for a very unique reason.
It wasn't because of her tall physique or because of her quick reflexes. It was her ability to punt a soccer ball further than anyone else her age.
When Hackerson was in elementary school, her youth soccer coach had several players punt as far as they could. Hackerson was able to out punt everyone else on the team. She's been a goalkeeper on every team she's ever played for since then.
"I punted about twice as far as everyone else. After that my coach asked me if I would play goalkeeper for him," said Hackerson. "That's when I started to develop (as a goalkeeper) and going to goalie clinics."
Those lessons throughout Hackerson's childhood paid off when she started playing for Wright State. She won a starting spot on the team when she first arrived in 2007 and never missed a start from 2007-2009. Following the 2009 season, she received First Team All-Horizon League honors, becoming the first Wright State goalkeeper to be so recognized since Steph Comisar in 2005.
Hackerson led the league in goals against average (0.76) and save percentage (.845), tied for second in shutouts (8) and was fifth in saves (82). She was also ranked 44th nationally in GAA and was 42nd in save percentage.
This season, with the addition of freshman Brooke McCurdy, Hackerson has been sharing her time in front of the goal. But her level of play is still well above par. In just over 100 minutes of playing this season, Hackerson has allowed just one goal and recorded a 3-0 shutout against Eastern Kentucky on September 3. That shutout, the 24th in Hackerson's WSU career, gave her the career shutout record.
Hackerson not only credits her experience for helping her put up stellar numbers this season, but says competing against McCurdy for the starting spot has helped improved her game as well.
"It's hard to go from where I played every game to being in the position where I'm fighting for my spot every day. It's great in one way because we're pushing each other to do better every day. We're in a position to push each other and I think we're going to be better for it and our team is going to be better for it."
The shared playing time, along with being a senior, has also allowed Hackerson to become a vocal leader on the team with all the freshmen.
"I think there's a little more expected. You have to have a little more presents on the field. We have ten freshmen, so it's different addressing them," said Hackerson. "And, after three years, I know a little more about what to tell people and to keep things organized."
"When I was a freshman, I definitely wasn't as vocal," Hackerson went on to say. "I'm just in a position now where I have to be. It's a little outside of my personality...but if I'm not vocal, then it could cost us a goal."
