Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Meaghan Doucet (Field Hockey)
Leominster High School senior goalie Meaghan Doucet took up field hockey later than many of her teammates, joining the sport as a sophomore without any prior experience. Since then, she has developed into a two-year varsity starting goalie.
“I was introduced to field hockey by my friend Hailey, who also pushed me to play flag football my freshman year,” Doucet said. “She explained the concept of field hockey to me and told me to sign up for tryouts.”
Despite starting the sport as a sophomore, Doucet's work ethic and enthusiasm quickly caught the attention of head coach Catherine Brow.
“One of the things I love most about coaching is getting to watch kids grow and develop, and Meaghan is such a great example of that,” Brow said. “She came to us her sophomore year never having played field hockey before, but she was eager to learn and excited to be a part of the team. To see how far she's come since then, from someone who had never put pads on to becoming a two-year varsity starting goalie, has been really special. I'm incredibly proud of the player she's become.”
Doucet enjoys the intensity of playing goalie, particularly the pressure that comes with defending the net.
“I love the adrenaline rush I get when I save a shot in a game since being the last line of defense builds pressure,” she said. “The fast pacing of the game is also something I really enjoy.”
Beyond the action on the field, Doucet values the friendships she has developed with her teammates.
“I love the team bonding aspects,” Doucet said. “Activities with the teammates outside of practice, like going out for breakfast, are moments that I cherish and love being a part of.”
Brow has also been impressed by Doucet's continued improvement and growing confidence in the net.
“The growth I've seen in her this year has been tremendous. She put in a ton of work during the offseason, and it's really showing in her performance. There's a different level of confidence, determination, and intensity in the way she approaches the game now. She's really embraced her role and taken ownership of her development, and I think that's made a huge difference. She's become such a strong presence for us in the net, and it's been awesome to watch her hard work pay off.”
Doucet credits Brow with helping her develop the mental approach needed to play goalie.
“Something that I have learned from my coach has to be the integrity she has even if the situation is negative,” she said.
After high school, Doucet plans to either continue pursuing her trade or study business in college. Although the idea came to her recently, she is also interested in continuing her field hockey career at the college level.
In addition to field hockey, Doucet has played flag football since her freshman year. She is also involved in student council, National Honor Society, Best Buddies, health club, Skills USA, and volunteer work. Outside of school, she enjoys electrical work, spending time with friends, and attending sporting events.
“My favorite class at LHS so far has been Honors Geometry taught by Mrs. Mazzaferro when I was a freshman,” Doucet said. “My favorite teachers are Mr. Oxford and Mr. Robichaud.”
Doucet's journey from a newcomer to a confident varsity starting goalie reflects the perseverance and willingness to improve that have defined her time at LHS.
“Being a goalie is not an easy job,” Brow said. “There's a tremendous amount of pressure that comes with being the last line of defense, and it takes a lot of courage and mental toughness to play that position. I've really enjoyed watching her grow into that responsibility. She's become more confident, more vocal, and more willing to challenge herself, and I think her teammates recognize that too. She's worked hard to become the goalie she is today, and I'm excited to see what her future has in store.”