Student-Athlete Spotlight: Goalie Kieran Meehan commits to play on D1 soccer team at Monmouth University

Nov. 1, 2024

By Madison Quick
Staff Writer

Starting goalie for LHS’ girls soccer team, senior Kieran Meehan is about to embark on a new adventure. Next year, she will be playing Division I soccer at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.

“It’s going to be different since it’s D1, which is a high and intense level, but I’m excited to get the training,” Meehan said.

Meehan, who also plays on The Sports Factory Academy Club Team in Lincoln Park, has over a decade of experience playing soccer. 

Meehan said her father introduced her to the sport when she was five years old because he felt she needed a way to channel her energy.

“He never had the opportunity to play soccer,” Meehan said. “Me playing soccer now is like playing for him.”

“She can clear the ball out of our end into the offensive end and help us release pressure and start building an attack.”

Meehan played for LHS’ junior varsity team her freshman year and transferred to DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne as a sophomore, where she played on varsity. She returned to LHS for her junior year but did not get playing time because then-senior Mackenzie Sibello was the varsity team’s goalie. After Sibello graduated, Meehan filled the role.

Senior captain and center midfielder Skyler Montillo, who has played on varsity since her freshman year, said Meehan is a useful addition to the team.

“She came in this year, not really knowing how the team dynamic was. I think she really stepped up and made herself a leader,” Montillo said. 

She said as a goalie, Meehan has a different view than the other players and coaches, so she can guide her teammates. 

“She really helps our defense and midfield when she sees something that we don’t,” Montillo said. 

Head Coach Hykey said Meehan is an important voice on the field.

“She is… seeing things differently than even I or the other coaches see,” Hykey said.  

She said Meehan’s strong leg has also benefited the team.

“She can clear the ball out of our end into the offensive end and help us release pressure and start building an attack,” Hykey said. “She’s able to make an impact, even offensively, which is kind of unheard of as a goalie.”

As of Oct. 31, Meehan had 73 saves and 10 shutouts for the season. Her talent earned her the recognition of The Observer, which named her Athlete of the Week on Oct. 2.

Hykey said, aside from her ability, Meehan has developed camaraderie with her teammates.

“The girls seem to gravitate towards her because… she allows people to kind of feel like themselves,” Hykey said. “They’re comfortable around her, and she’s not judgmental at all.”

Hykey said Meehan will face a new set of challenges next year because of the intensity of college sports.

“College is very, very tough. You pretty much never get a day off. It’s like a job, [but] I think she has the makings to be successful,” said Hykey.