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March 17, 2016
Houma native Meghan Philp now has a feather in her cap that most other soccer players don’t possess.
She can now say that she’s successfully scored goals across the world.
A Vandebilt graduate and four-year contributor at Belmont Abbey, Philp and her teammates were able to embark on a six-game overseas journey in Italy – a chance for the team to showcase its talents against opponents across the soccer-rich nation.
Abbey played six total games abroad, splitting its roster in half and allowing each individual player the chance to compete in three matches.
Philp’s split squad finished 2-1 overall in its tour, and the local striker was lethal. She scored three goals, and applied constant pressure to the opposition – much like she’s done throughout her entire career.
Philp said the trip was successful – one in which she will remember forever. She said that being able to showcase her talents against European competition was a dream come true – an opportunity that she was blessed and fortunate to have.
“The competition in Italy was really good,” Philp said. “We had a lot of fun learning from each of the teams we played. … The language barrier was sometimes a challenge, but Google translate and a few players from Italy that knew some English made it easier to communicate. The teams that we played were all excited to face an American team. The soccer experiences, faith experiences and cultural experiences we had on the trip are all ones we will never forget.”
The trip to Italy was many months in the making for Philp and her teammates.
The local soccer standout said she found out that her team was going to Italy in early 2015 – a time that was filled with both joy and panic.
The joy, of course, was for the opportunity. The panic was because the school required that competitors pay their way to the faraway land.
Philp said she reached out to friends, family, relatives – anyone willing to help, for several months to try and raise the cash she needed.
Philp started a GoFundMe Page online, which immediately went viral locally. Through community support, Philp was able to raise $3,575 – enough for her to make the trip with her team.
She said once the goal was reached that she was “forever grateful” for the support she received from the community.
“It’s overwhelming,” Philp said. “To get that much support is such an inspirational thing. It’s amazing, and I am so thankful and grateful to everyone who helped out in any way.”
After the fundraising part was over, Philp then focused her efforts on her senior season.
It’s safe to say that that went pretty well, too. Heck, her entire career was one that was ruled by success.
With Belmont Abbey, Philp has been a four-year contributor – a striker who has solidified herself as one of the best in the country in NCAA Division III athletics.
As a senior, Philp scored a team-high 14 goals and three assists for the Abbey, which finished the season with a sparkling 16-3-1 record, including perfect 11-0 in conference regular season games.
A year before, Philp also logged 14 goals – again with four assists.
The former Lady Terrier is clutch, too. A total of 13 of her 28 goals in her final two collegiate seasons were game-winners.
“She’s been great for our program,” Belmont Abbey soccer coach Mike Lynch told reporters before the 2015 season. “Meghan is a player that’s a pleasure to coach, because she’s a good player, a good teammate and someone who gives everything she’s got in every game.”
In Italy, it was no different.
Philp said the trip was amazing, yes. But it wasn’t perfect.
She said the biggest struggle she faced was jetlag after a brutal flight from the states to Europe.
From there, Philp said the second challenge was field conditions.
Two of the three games that Philp’s split-squad team played were on turf, which posed no problem. But game two of the rotation was played on a soggy dirt field that was substandard, compared to what Philp and other college players are using to seeing.
She said that match was tough to deal with. It was the only match her team lost in her tour. It was also the only one in which she didn’t score a goal.
The opponent on that day was a side called Napoli Carpisa Yamamay.
“The trip did have its share of ups and downs,” Philp said. “That field was on dirt. The lines were filled with cones, and there were so many puddles from the rain that had passed through earlier that day. We lost that one 2-1.”
But the rest of the trip was same ol’, same ol’ for Philp.
In game one against Roma XIV Decimoquarto, she scored in the first 30 seconds of the second half – a 3-0 Belmont Abbey win. In game three against Napoli Dream, Philp was even more dominant, scoring twice to give her team a 4-0 victory.
“The game I scored two goals, one was a header off the cross from the wing,” Philp said. “That’s like my signature, really. The other shot was a shot that I chipped the keeper from outside of the 18-yard box.”
After the games, Philp said the camaraderie was excellent between the visitors and the hosts, adding that she made several friends along the way.
After two of the games, the hosts treated Philp and Belmont Abbey to pizza. In between games, the team got out and saw the European country.
“A lot of us left with many more Facebook friends than we had before,” Philp said with a laugh. “It was amazing to see how much different things are in Italy, compared to the United States.”
But now with the business trip over, Philp said she’s onto the next mission – becoming a pro.
The Houma native said it’s her dream to play professional soccer, touting that she’s been training as hard as ever before to make that a reality.
A month ago, Philp attended a scouting combine to showcase her skills to coaches and scouts around the world.
While in Italy, she got an agent’s business card – anything to make a connection that can help get her somewhere in the future.
“I hope to keep playing,” Philp said. “That’s my goal. I’m working hard, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes. All I need is a shot and an opportunity to try and show people what I can do.” •
