Sept. 7, 2002
By Mike Leflar
Athletic Communications Graduate Intern
Three fall seasons have passed since Lafayette celebrated a Patriot League field hockey championship, but the desire to return to the top still burns deep inside senior Megan Monahan.
Monahan was the lone freshman starter on that 1999 team, the most successful in school history, when she scored the game-winning goal against Fairfield to clinch the regular season Patriot League title.
Monahan's memories of that title run have not faded, and she knows what it takes to be the toast of the Patriot League. As a senior co-captain, Monahan is trying to instill that winning attitude into this season's team.
"The 1999 team was a very close team, and very supportive of one another on the field, and that went a long way. I think this team is getting closer because we have played together for a few years. We know that this is our time," Monahan said.
The team chemistry that Monahan speaks to has developed as this class of 2003 has dealt with on-field growing pains. Graduation softened the roar of the Leopards in 2000 and their campaign to defend their crown finished at 8-11. Personally, Monahan's second season brought a new on-field challenge for the sophomore.
"We moved Megan from wing to center forward coming into the 2000 season, and she became our main striker on penalty corners," said head coach Ann Gold.
Monahan was called upon to produce on the offensive end, filling the shoes of former Leopard All-American Kellee Salber, who graduated after the 1999 campaign.
"It was difficult at first because I looked up to Kellee my freshman year. She taught me so much as a player and a leader, and then I had to fill her role," Monahan said.
Amidst self-doubt, Monahan adjusted well, netting 10 goals and four assists on her way to being named to the Patriot League First-Team and National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Regional All-America Second Team.
A determined and more experienced Leopards team hit their stride last fall on the shoulders of Monahan's breakout season. The team finished 14-5 before bowing out to Fairfield in the Patriot League final (2-0), while Monahan exploded for career highs in goals (18) and assists (7). The Patriot League awarded Monahan Offensive Player of the Year honors, and the NFHCA again named her to its Regional All-America Team, a First-Team honoree this time.
While Monahan's on-field production has helped the Leopards get back on the winning track, her intensity off the field is a driving force in the team's success. "Megan is so competitive. She always wants us to run more, to watch more game film. She is a motivator," Gold said.
"I am intense and I expect our team to win every game we play," Monahan said. "My goal is for that intensity to rub off on my teammates. We have to realize that every Patriot League team will be shooting for us."
Gold also recognizes and respects Monahan's leadership abilities, and named her a 2002 co-captain along with senior Erica Bartsch. "I push the team harder because I know that is what Megan wants as one of the team leaders," Gold said.
Gold lauded Monahan's work ethic, focus, and competitive nature when discussing the keys to her success. "Megan is definitely included in the top handful of players I have coached. I cannot think of anyone that has improved from year to year, and she is still improving. Her successes are a credit to her hard work," Gold said.
Monahan's hard work has helped her torch opposing defenses for 80 points (32 goals, 16 assists), putting her on pace to become the Patriot League's all-time leading goal scorer and points leader. Her 18 goals and 43 points in 2002 ranks as one of the most prolific offensive seasons in league history.
Yet for all of her accolades, Monahan is willing to sacrifice individual numbers for one more chance for the team to shine come league tournament time.
"This season I need to be more of a playmaker to open up opportunities for my teammates. I would rather draw a double or triple team and tally an assist if it means spreading the scoring," Monahan said.
Gold has seen evidence that the seniors are ready to make a run at a post-season title as well. "In the past and in the off-season the seniors have talked about a championship a lot. Now, we all know that it is possible and a reality, so we are doing less talking and not putting pressure on ourselves."
Lafayette comes into the 2002 season ranked second in the Patriot League pre-season poll, behind Holy Cross. Monahan is using that as motivation, and she is poised to lead the Leopards to Patriot League glory, while teaching today's underclassmen what it is going to take to fill the large shoes she is going to leave behind.
