Patience pays off for Keene State's Ledoux

KEENE, N.H. 10/12/10 – The adage "Good things come to those who wait" certainly applies when it comes to the career of Keene State field hockey goalie Meghan Ledoux.

Patiently waiting in the wings the past three years, the senior from Standish, Maine, has gone from understudy to leading lady between the pipes for the Owls this season.

When Ledoux, a talented three-sport athlete at Bonny Eagle High School, originally arrived at Keene State in the fall of 2007, she found herself playing behind a senior goalie. However, three weeks into the season, junior Vikki Stoessel, who went on to become one of the top keepers in the region, decided to return to the team. Suddenly the wait got a little longer. 

"It was frustrating at time, but I knew I'd eventually get my chance," said Ledoux. "I came to practice with the same competitive mindset and still worked hard."

Stepping into the spotlight this season, Ledoux,  a member of two LEC champion and NCAA tournament teams at KSC, has shined for the Owls. Heading into Tuesday's game against nationally ranked Middlebury College, she leads the Little East and is seventh in Division III in save percentage (.859) and has the second best goals against average (1.04) in the conference. 

Keene State coach Amy Watson said it wasn't a lack of confidence that kept Ledoux on the sidelines. "We knew all along that Meghan could step in and get the job done for us," Watson said. "So I'm not surprised how well she's doing this season."

Ledoux's field hockey career at Bonny Eagle also had an unpredictable start. Already playing soccer, basketball, and lacrosse for the Scots, Ledoux was recruited to the field hockey team by coach Patricia Bourget. In need of a goalie, Bourget came over to a lacrosse game and offered Ledoux the starting varsity goalie position the next fall.

Ledoux stepped into the net without missing a beat. As a junior, she allowed just 10 goals, leading the Scots to the Western Maine championship. The following season, Bonny Eagle defended their Western Maine title before falling in the state championship.

Ledoux's penchant for pressure made her an ideal candidate for the goalie position. "I like the feeling of controlling a game and determining if a team scores," said Ledoux, who is also a goalie on the KSC lacrosse team. Leading KSC to a 10-3 record, Ledoux has posted three shutouts and made a career-high 15 saves in the Owls' 2-1 upset win over nationally ranked Trinity College. 

Ledoux faced a shooting gallery against the Bantams, thwarting many corner opportunities. "They had corners for six straight minutes," she said. "I had to be a brick wall."

Ledoux complements her aura of invincibility with her astounding athleticism. "Meghan has that amazing hand-eye coordination that you really can't teach somebody," said Carole Kinsella, the Owls' goalie coach. "She's a naturally gifted athlete."

A goalie is only as good as her defense, and Ledoux tips her goalie helmet to the players in front of her. "You couldn't ask for a more solid group of defenders," said Ledoux. Her backfield buddies return the compliment. "I feel super comfortable with Meghan behind me," said junior back Kerry Howe, Ledoux's teammate and roommate. "I think she's living up to the coaches' expectation."

"It's nice after all those years sitting out that I can come in and prove myself and show the coaches what I can do," said Ledoux. "I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and the Little East tournament."