The Cavalier Daily
Serving the University Community Since 1890

Elwell gives youthful Cavs needed leadership

It has been said that no team can be successful without seasoned players that can help shape and mold a team into a winner. The No. 8 Virginia field hockey team is fortunate enough to find such experience in fourth-year forward Meredith Elwell.

Elwell has been a dominant force in the offensive attack, as well as a team leader this year for a very young Cav squad.

"It is an awesome experience to be only one of three fourth-year players, because you can help shape what the team is going to be like for the next four years," Elwell said. "The first years are coming into the college game for the first time, and it is good to be able to help them develop."

Elwell has done some developing herself since stepping onto the turf as a first year. She was named the 1996 ACC Rookie of the Year, and then continued to garner honors like a spot on the 1996 ACC All-Tournament team, playing on the national under-21 squad and being ranked fifth in school history in scoring after only three seasons of play. Elwell is most noted for her ability to score, and rightly so, recently moving to the ACC's eighth all-time spot for the 61 goals she has blasted into the back of the net in her career.

"I have had tremendous players around me, and a lot of my goals are just being in the right place at the right time," Elwell said. "It is great to have a team that gets passes off, and always sets balls up nicely so I can take advantage."

Although Elwell gives her teammates a lot of credit for her offensive success, much can be attributed to her individual speed and awareness on the field - which has put her in the record books.

"What makes her so great is that she is dynamic with the ball," second-year forward Carrie Goodloe said. "Her quickness allows her to get in the passing lanes, and then do something with the ball once she's there."

Elwell also brings the experience of playing on two Final-Four Virginia teams, starting every game in her last two seasons and being named an All-American in both of those campaigns.

And as team captain, Elwell leads the fourth-year class of this year's team, which also includes midfielders Natalie Crane and Laura Lindsey.

Still, most of her leadership occurs off the turf.

"She is our captain, so of course, we believe she is a leader on the field, but she serves as an intermediary for the whole team," Goodloe said. "When there is a problem with the team, we go to Meredith, or if there is ever a need to go to the coach, Meredith is the one who goes."

Elwell's skill on the field and experience playing on the under-21 national team may lead to expectations of playing on the U.S. national team like former Cavalier great Michelle Vizzuso, but Elwell said she is doubtful about those prospects.

Because Elwell is a two-sport athlete, dividing her talent between field hockey and women's lacrosse, national team play is not a feasible option.

"I have played U.S. field hockey for a couple of years, but I have sort of retired from my path toward the national team because they play a lot of in the spring while I am playing lacrosse, so it makes it difficult," Elwell said. "I highly doubt that I will continue after this; I just want to win a national title."

After finishing in the nation's top four in back-to-back seasons, the Cavaliers hope that a new coach, a large first-year class and talented veterans like Elwell will be the keys to making the final steps toward a championship.

"I think that making the Final Four is a feasible goal, and I believe we are going to give it a good run," Elwell said. "I have definitely set winning it all as a goal for this team, and we continue to learn and get better, and I think we have a legitimate chance."

The Cavaliers definitely have their work cut out for them this year, playing in one of the toughest field hockey conferences in the nation and having new additions who have not seen the rigors of post-season play. The leadership of players like Elwell will be crucial in giving the Cavs a chance to end their season on top.

"There are a lot of good teams out there, but it just depends on the day and who shows up to play," Elwell said. "Our only enemy is ourselves, and I just hope we peak at just the right time."

Comments

Latest Podcast

The University’s Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment and Undergraduate Admission, Greg Roberts, provides listeners with an insight into how the University conducts admissions and the legal subtleties regarding the possible end to the consideration of legacy status.



https://open.spotify.com/episode/02ZWcF1RlqBj7CXLfA49xt