Photo by: Jeff Golden
Women's Soccer Q&A: Meghan Healy
10/12/2018 8:53:00 AM | Women's Soccer, Competing With Purpose Blog
Senior forward Meghan Healy of the Pepperdine women's soccer team scored the game-winning goal against #4 Santa Clara minutes this past Sunday. We talked about the emotions she felt when she scored, what this win means for the team and what her time at Pepperdine has been like:
Q: You scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal minutes after coming in as a sub. What emotions were you feeling when you scored?
A: Honestly, just excitement: pure joy and excitement. I honestly couldn't believe it went in at first, so I kind of watched and it thought, "Oh that happened. It went in." Then, I realized what it meant and realized all my work paid off. It was just a great feeling and exciting to see that my teammates felt the same way
Q: When it came to the goal, did you know you were going to make it? What was going through your head before you kicked the ball?
A: I saw Joelle get the ball, and told myself, "Meghan, run in, go for it, and try to score." So, I did and I didn't know if it was going to get over or not. You never know, but I just ran anyway. When I saw it deflect off of another player and come to me, I thought, "Oh, I can get that." So I got it and settled it. I realized I could shoot from where I was, so I shot it. When it went in, I just thought, "Oh, I scored! That's awesome." I kind of knew I had the chance to score, but in practice you're used to being so composed and just shooting it into the net; it becomes second nature. On one hand, I didn't expect to make the shot, but on the other hand, I'd been practicing, so why not?
Q: The shot was not only the game-winning goal, but also your first career goal. How does that add to the achievement?
A: It felt really good. I kind of got to the point where I thought I wasn't going to end up scoring. I decided I wanted to impact the team in any way that I can, on and off the field. Once I let go of the pressure of scoring, it became a lot easier to get in behind, go to goal and ultimately score.
Q: What does this goal mean for you, in regards to the rest of the season?
A: I think it shows our team is capable of a lot, and that we've been practicing really hard to get to the point that we're at. We're just ready to go from now on, and I think we're going to compete really well.
Q: How does the team's win against Santa Clara affect training and motivation for the rest of the season?
A: I think it lit another fire under us. We've been motivated, coming closer as a team, and training really hard, but I think any win makes us think, "We've got this." I think we're competing at a high level and we have more fire for the rest of the season.
Q: What goals do you have for the remainder of the season?
A: Personally, I just want to continue to have an impact on my teammates in any way possible, even if it's just being positive, encouraging or energetic. For the team, I really just want us to get to the point where we're playing the best soccer we possibly can. I think we're getting there, but there's always room to improve. I just want us to constantly be competitive in a way that isn't disruptive. I want us to compete in a way that's fun and feels good because we're working hard. I want us to improve overall.
Q: You're originally from Michigan, what drew you to Pepperdine?
A: I don't really know what it was. I've always loved and wanted to live in California. As soon as I stepped on campus for the Malibu Soccer Academy camp, I felt at home. The first day, I decided that I would try to come here. I thought, "This is it. I want to come here." It just felt right.
Q: Reflecting on your past few years at Pepperdine, what has your time here been like?
A: The past few years have been wonderful, but not without struggle. Every year, something new would happen and I would have to get through it. I always had my teammates and coaches by my side, and they honestly made all the difference. In the end, I was able to realize all the great moments that I've had and what I should be grateful for. I have a lot to be grateful for, especially being here.
Q: As a senior, what's next after graduation?
A: I plan on going to law school. I think I'm going to take the LSAT at the end of next semester, over the summer, and possibly take a semester off and work. I'll probably take a step down from being competitive and play soccer for fun.
Q: You scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal minutes after coming in as a sub. What emotions were you feeling when you scored?
A: Honestly, just excitement: pure joy and excitement. I honestly couldn't believe it went in at first, so I kind of watched and it thought, "Oh that happened. It went in." Then, I realized what it meant and realized all my work paid off. It was just a great feeling and exciting to see that my teammates felt the same way
Q: When it came to the goal, did you know you were going to make it? What was going through your head before you kicked the ball?
A: I saw Joelle get the ball, and told myself, "Meghan, run in, go for it, and try to score." So, I did and I didn't know if it was going to get over or not. You never know, but I just ran anyway. When I saw it deflect off of another player and come to me, I thought, "Oh, I can get that." So I got it and settled it. I realized I could shoot from where I was, so I shot it. When it went in, I just thought, "Oh, I scored! That's awesome." I kind of knew I had the chance to score, but in practice you're used to being so composed and just shooting it into the net; it becomes second nature. On one hand, I didn't expect to make the shot, but on the other hand, I'd been practicing, so why not?
Q: The shot was not only the game-winning goal, but also your first career goal. How does that add to the achievement?
A: It felt really good. I kind of got to the point where I thought I wasn't going to end up scoring. I decided I wanted to impact the team in any way that I can, on and off the field. Once I let go of the pressure of scoring, it became a lot easier to get in behind, go to goal and ultimately score.
Q: What does this goal mean for you, in regards to the rest of the season?
A: I think it shows our team is capable of a lot, and that we've been practicing really hard to get to the point that we're at. We're just ready to go from now on, and I think we're going to compete really well.
Q: How does the team's win against Santa Clara affect training and motivation for the rest of the season?
A: I think it lit another fire under us. We've been motivated, coming closer as a team, and training really hard, but I think any win makes us think, "We've got this." I think we're competing at a high level and we have more fire for the rest of the season.
Q: What goals do you have for the remainder of the season?
A: Personally, I just want to continue to have an impact on my teammates in any way possible, even if it's just being positive, encouraging or energetic. For the team, I really just want us to get to the point where we're playing the best soccer we possibly can. I think we're getting there, but there's always room to improve. I just want us to constantly be competitive in a way that isn't disruptive. I want us to compete in a way that's fun and feels good because we're working hard. I want us to improve overall.
Q: You're originally from Michigan, what drew you to Pepperdine?
A: I don't really know what it was. I've always loved and wanted to live in California. As soon as I stepped on campus for the Malibu Soccer Academy camp, I felt at home. The first day, I decided that I would try to come here. I thought, "This is it. I want to come here." It just felt right.
Q: Reflecting on your past few years at Pepperdine, what has your time here been like?
A: The past few years have been wonderful, but not without struggle. Every year, something new would happen and I would have to get through it. I always had my teammates and coaches by my side, and they honestly made all the difference. In the end, I was able to realize all the great moments that I've had and what I should be grateful for. I have a lot to be grateful for, especially being here.
Q: As a senior, what's next after graduation?
A: I plan on going to law school. I think I'm going to take the LSAT at the end of next semester, over the summer, and possibly take a semester off and work. I'll probably take a step down from being competitive and play soccer for fun.
Players Mentioned
D/F
/ Women's Soccer
