Meehan & Dowd's Legacy of Greatness

One of the most exciting times for any college sport is when its corresponding professional league holds its draft. The anticipation of watching homegrown athletes matriculate to bigger and better things is one of the things that make the collegiate level so compelling. Given the pros' exclusive nature, being chosen is a validation of both the individual and the program that produced him or her.

For Boston College, validation came this week in the form of the National Women's Soccer League. That's where McKenzie Meehan and Hayley Dowd received the call in the fourth round of the NWSL Draft. Meehan, the program's all-time leading scorer, went first, going 34th overall to Sky Blue FC, before Dowd went four picks later, picked by the Boston Breakers.

"My first emotion is that I'm very proud of them," head coach Alison Foley said. "It's a great reflection on the program but also on their individual efforts. It's a great opportunity for them."

For the duo, it's individual culmination of a collaborative effort to rewrite the record books. Meehan departs as the program's all-time leader in points (124) and goals (58). Named All-ACC First Team, she finished the season ranked 55th nationally in points per game. She will join a Sky Blue FC club featuring Christie Rampone of the US Women's National Team and Raquel Rodriguez of the Costa Rica Women's National Team.

"If I had one word to describe McKenzie, it's resilient," Foley said. "Nobody has had to overcome so much in her life, including the death of her father. She's an unsung type of hero who just works to overcome obstacles. Had she not been injured (late in the season), she would've been a first or second round pick, so this is one last obstacle she needs to overcome before achieving greatness.

"It's understandable that a team wouldn't want to draft someone that high in that situation," she continued, "but McKenzie is on a great recovery program, and she was touted to be one of the top draft talents in this year's class. There is no doubt that, at the end, she will be one of the top players and go onto huge success."

Although it's Meehan standing atop the record books, Hayley Dowd rewrote them with her. Finishing second in goal scoring with 39 strikes and sixth in points with 90, she was a two-time All-ACC Second Team selection. This past season, she had seven goals, four of which were game-winners, giving her 14 for her career. A hometown product of Massachusetts, she'll now stay home with a Boston Breakers roster dotted with athletes who compete for international caps. Canada's Allysha Chapman, Portugal's Amanda DaCosta, Norway's Emilie Haavi, New Zealand's Rosie White, and USA's Whitney Engen and Rose Lavelle, along with a large number of members from the USA's Under-23 national roster.

"McKenzie had the spotlight because of all of the records, but Hayley is the second leading scorer in our program's history," Foley said. "It's amazing to think that we graduated the all-time first and second scorers in one class; there's always that little bit of oversight to No. 2 because they don't get as much attention as No. 1. But Hayley has incredibly high level qualities."

A coach always looks to find the right balance between teammates, and in their legacy, that's one thing Meehan and Dowd will leave.
"They were a contrast between the two," Foley said, "that a coach loves to see. Hayley was a little bit more dynamic and emotional, for example. She was a little bit more eye-catching and intriguing for a crowd. That's different from McKenzie, who operated differently but was able to produce some amazing results. It creates a unique experience where they both can influence scoring and each other, but you have to coach them differently. As a coach, it's something that really helps you appreciate each athlete individually."

As they depart for the professional ranks, there becomes the task of replacing two of the most prolific athletes at Boston College. It's something the team is prepared for, and it's something that both Dowd and Meehan will help in their own way, with their legacy paving the road for the next generation of recruits.

"We have three or four younger players who we expect to step up," Foley said. "McKenzie and Hayley left two very big shoes to fill, but we feel that those are shoes that we can fill as a team. It's a big job, but the pressure is a privilege, and it's something we hope can continue a tradition here at Boston College."

Players Mentioned

Hayley Dowd

McKenzie Meehan

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