Freshman difference maker
Bain contributes for Dukes right out of high school
By Whitney Proffitt, contributing writer
Posted on September 11, 2006

The JMU field hockey team likes to keep things in the family — literally.

Sophomore triplets Ashley, Lauren and Melissa Walls all play for the team. However, the family ties don’t stop there. Freshman forward Meghan Bain is the triplets’ first-cousin.

“I almost feel like they’re quadruplets,” JMU coach Antoinette Lucas said. “They have some sort of genetic instinct that lets them locate each other on the field. They are very athletic, and they make great decisions on the field. I’m very fortunate as a coach to have them.”

The girls have been playing together since middle school.

“It’s fun to play with my cousin,” JMU sophomore forward Ashley Walls said. “We’ve been playing together for a while, so we’re used to the style of play each of us has. I think that’s one of the main reasons Meghan came [to JMU] is because all three of us were here, and she enjoys playing with us.”

Said Baines, “We’re like one big family — always holding and supporting one another.”

Bain’s high school coach could have had something to do with her decision, too.

Eastern Regional High School coach Danyle Heilig also played field hockey for JMU, and was a member of the 1994 national championship team. With a total of 36 assists, Heilig is the co-holder of JMU’s career assist record.

“It’s a gift to have four players from Eastern Regional,” Lucas said. “It helps that Danyle came from JMU, because the girls wouldn’t have looked here otherwise.”

Bain was a standout from the beginning. As a sophomore, the Berlin, N.J., native was named Philadelphia Inquirer Newcomer of the Year when she led all sophomores in the state with 18 goals. The following year she was the South Jersey season-scoring champion with 48 goals and 17 assists — a title she captured once again her senior year with 35 goals and 24 assists.

“She’s learned to play both sides of the ball,” Lucas said. “To her credit, she’s played a lot of high-level field hockey.”

In addition, Bain was named to over 10 All-American and All-State teams in the course of her high school career.

“She’s so great in open-field play,” Lucas said. “She’s really fast and dynamic. Her cousins set her up really well.”

Bain’s cousins may have assisted her some both in high school and in college, but now she does it on her own. With eight minutes remaining, she netted the game-winning goal in Friday’s game against Michigan State.

“She has a natural instinct to put the ball in the goal,” Lucas said.

Bain has made a name for herself on the JMU team by tying her cousin Ashley as team leader for goals scored.
           
“She’s getting better and better,” Lucas said. “Right now she’s a raw talent, which, as a coach, is really exciting to work with.”
           
As for familial competition, it doesn’t seem to be a problem for the four girls. They help each other out.
           
“One of the benefits of having family on the team is that we help each other understand what we did wrong on the field,” Ashley Walls said.

The Walls girls and Bain aren’t the only relatives on the JMU team. Sisters Lauren and Melissa Stefaniak add to the Dukes’ familial connections.
           
“As a coach you don’t always want to recruit two siblings,” Lucas said. “However, we have been really fortunate with our girls.”
           
Said Baines, “This is perfect for all four of us. I’m so happy it worked out the way it did.”