Meyer emerging as reliable force in the midfield
Aug. 25, 2012
Dalton Pool, Texas Media Relations AUSTIN, Texas — Lindsey Meyer wears No. 4 for the Longhorns, but there’s a much easier way to identify her when she’s out on the pitch. Just look for the tallest one. Towering at over 6-feet tall, the freshman from Coppell, Texas, uses her size and skill to make her presence felt in the middle of the field. It is not surprising to see Meyer win header after header over smaller opposing players, but what is surprising, especially for someone her size, is how poised and skilled she is on the ball, and how her passes always seem to find the feet of her intended targets. "People are expecting her to win balls in the air because of her size, but honestly I have been more impressed with how calming she is on the ball, and her ability to keep possession and be a playmaker in that defensive-mid position," head coach Angela Kelly said of the freshman’s play. Meyer has cemented herself as the Longhorns’ main option at the holding midfielder position, averaging over 80 minutes a contest there and starting all three matches. Meyer contributes her comfort and confidence in that role to her past experience playing there in club soccer and Kelly’s coaching. “My responsibilities are to win balls in the air, to distribute well, to make sure I’m finding spaces where I can get the ball and then switch it, and whatever else my team needs to win,” said Meyer. “I’ve played defensive midfielder my whole life. My club coaches taught me a lot, and Coach Kelly and her staff have been helping me even more.” Meyer’s composure in the middle and her ability to execute the simply pass make it hard to believe she is just a freshman and has yet to take her first class at The University of Texas. And when you bring her size and defensive presence into the equation, the future in the center of the midfield for the Longhorns is very encouraging.
Meyer, however, still knows there is room for improvement, and plans on working hard to make her game even more dynamic. “As the season goes on I would like to do a better job of finding the ball more, helping my center-backs relieve pressure, and getting involved even more on the offensive end,” Meyer said. Meyer, Kelly and the rest of the Longhorns return to action Sunday, Aug. 26, at 1 pm versus Toledo at Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field. Longhorn Network will provide live television coverage. |
|
