Los Al Friends Bring Contrast to 49er
by Matt Zimmerman, Long Beach Press-Telegram
September 2, 2005 As defender, Julie Megorden's job is simple.
Try to help keep things calm and organized, and sweep up when an invader manages to disrupt things and threatens the serenity of the place she is protecting. And in addition to cleaning after roommate and 49er midfielder Hayley Bolt has strewn her possessions across their on-campus suite, she also finds time to help the Long Beach State women's soccer team defend its goal as well.
"Hayley's just really unorganized, and I'm the complete opposite. And it bugs me a little bit," said Megorden, who played with Bolt for a Los Alamitos High team that won the 2005 CIF Division I chanmpionship. "We'd go to each other's houses, (and) when we'd go in her room she shared a room with her sister there'd be clothes everywhere, trash, and I would go into her house and start cleaning her room. Her car is somewhat of a disaster. I knew it going in, but we're trying to change her."
As shown when Bolt headed in a Megorden free kick for the 49ers' (1-1-0) first goal of the season in a 4-0 rout of San Jose State Tuesday, one thing that remains unchanged is the effectiveness of their on-field connection. The pair was part of a Griffins team that sent six seniors to Division I soccer programs, and their former teammates signing with collegs as far away as Illinois and as close as Pepperdine, Bolt and Megorden heeded to second-year coach Mauricio Ingrassia's entreaties and remained close to home as part of a highly touted 49er recruiting class.
"That helps the freshmen, it doesn't make the college games seem so big, so they're not too intimidated by it," said goalie Meghan Hartwyk, the only senior on the 49er active roster, who also played with Bolt and Megorden when the pair were freshmen at Los Alamitos. "If they went really far away to this huge school and they're playing a huge stadium with people they don't know, it's like an away game, because they don't know anyone. I think it helps a lot."
Bolt has started both games in midfield for the 49ers, who host Idaho State today at 5 p.m. at George Allen Field. LBSU returned all four of its main starting defenders from last season, but a nagging hip injury to junior stalwart Natalie Messina opened up a spot for Megorden to get her first collegiate start in central defense.
"Our back line has been solid, so we brought Julie in basically to give us some depth, and we hopefully develop her for the future. Unfortunately, Natalie hasn't been 100 percent, and Julie's been a really nice surprise … she came in fit to camp, and she's got really nice touch on the ball," Ingrassia said. "Hayley's going to be a marquee player for this program for the next four years. I know she's very competitive, as we all are, but I think as long as she keeps having fun with it, that's when she's going to be most effective. I don't know if there's another weapon in the conference like (her), as far as all-around."
But there is still the matter of differing views of how to treat their living space, especially since Bolt's job on the field is to upset defenders and find weaknesses in their organization. So, has Megorden snapped yet at the girl who has been her best friend since they met during freshman year at Los Alamitos, the 17-year-old who is the youngest member of the 49ers?
"No, not yet. But it's only been less than a month," Bolt laughed. "When we're a little stressed out, big game coming, I can see it happening. But for now, no, not at all. We accept each other's lifestyles, for sure." |
