Two goalies, one goal: How MacMiller and Mous are pushing each other to new heights

Danny Podolsky

Connector Editor

LOWELL, Mass. — Two goalkeepers, one net, and a whole lot of friendly competition.

For the UMass Lowell field hockey team, sophomore goalkeepers Megan MacMiller and Veerle Mous have found themselves in an unusual situation. Rather than one goalkeeper taking control of the starting position, the two have shared playing time throughout the season, often splitting halves.

But instead of allowing the competition to create tension, the two have embraced it.

“There’s always healthy competition between us, and I think that’s good because we motivate each other to work harder every practice,” Mous said.

The partnership has helped the River Hawks get off to a 6-5 start, including a perfect 5-0 record at Wicked Blue Field. UMass Lowell has also opened America East Conference play with a 1-0 record following a shutout victory against Bryant on October 2.

The two sophomores have combined for 38 saves this season, with MacMiller recording 21 and Mous adding 17. Together, they have helped anchor a defense that has allowed just 16 goals through 11 games.

While sharing time in net might be frustrating for some athletes, MacMiller believes the arrangement has made both goalkeepers better.

“It’s great playing with V. She’s great competition, and she’s somebody who pushes you when you need to be pushed,” MacMiller said.

That competitive relationship extends beyond games and into the team’s practices, where the coaching staff regularly challenges both players to outperform one another.

“When we’re training, we compete with each other, and our goalie coach makes us compete,” MacMiller explained. “It’s a fun way to make sure we’re both training hard and pushing ourselves.”

Mous echoed those sentiments, describing a relationship that balances friendship with a desire to improve.

“We’re great friends on and off the field,” Mous said. “I think that competition is good because it helps us work harder and make each other better.”

Their success has not gone unnoticed around the America East Conference. Mous earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors on September 1 after pitching shutout halves in 60 minutes of action against Stanford and UC Davis. MacMiller followed with the same award on September 29 after helping the River Hawks shut out Brown.

That September 27 matchup against Brown proved particularly challenging. With heavy rain and strong winds battering Wicked Blue Field, UMass Lowell managed to secure a 2-0 victory.

Mous played the opening half, while MacMiller took over for the second, recording four saves to preserve the shutout.

“Every time I made a save, it brought the team’s energy higher, and it was really fun,” MacMiller said.

For Mous, the weather presented an additional obstacle.

“It was so different compared to the other games,” Mous said. “I think we’ve done a good job learning how to play in that kind of weather.”

The River Hawks followed their victory over Brown with another shutout against Bryant, defeating their conference rival 1-0 behind an early goal from junior Audrey Carter.

The victory marked UMass Lowell’s first America East matchup of the season, giving the team an important early advantage in conference play.

“We’re feeling pretty confident heading into conference play,” MacMiller said. “Everybody wants to have fun and play together, and that pushes us to be our best.”

Mous believes the team’s undefeated home record has also provided additional motivation.

“Being undefeated at home is such a great feeling for the team,” Mous said. “I think it motivates us even more when we play at home because we want to keep that streak going.”

Despite suffering a narrow 1-0 overtime defeat at Providence on October 4, the River Hawks have reason to be optimistic. Their two goalkeepers have continued to demonstrate that sharing a position does not necessarily mean sacrificing individual success.

Now, with conference play underway, the River Hawks will look to carry that chemistry into the most important stretch of their season.

UMass Lowell returns to America East action on Friday, October 9, traveling to Burlington, Vermont, to face the Vermont Catamounts at 3 p.m. The team will then return to Wicked Blue Field on Sunday, October 11, to host Sacred Heart at 1 p.m.

For MacMiller and Mous, the formula remains simple: continue pushing each other, continue improving, and continue winning.