The Meadows’ Lovell far more than just one of the boys

Ashley Lovell could easily see it as a predicament.

Without a girls soccer team to play for at The Meadows, she has had to play her entire high school career on the boys team. But that’s just fine by the senior midfielder.

“I’ve said from the beginning I like guys soccer better,” she said. “It’s a lot faster and a lot more physical.”

Lovell hasn’t had trouble fitting in with the Mustangs (2-1). In fact, she’s standing out.

A third-year starter and team captain, Lovell was unanimously voted by coaches to last year’s Class 3A Southern League first team.

“The way that went, I had it in mind to nominate her, but the other coaches actually beat me to it, and the vote was unanimous,” Mustangs coach Garry Shackley said. “That’s how much respect the other schools have for her.”

And Lovell, a solid passer who described her style of play as “team-oriented,” has earned every ounce of respect from opponents.

“It seems like in the beginning, they always underestimate her,” The Meadows junior forward Toby Warburton said. “But then we start playing and they respect her just the same as everybody else.

“She’s one of the better players in our entire league, so it’s hard not to respect her.”

Opposing coaches not only have become accustomed to Lovell’s presence on the field but also take her seriously enough to game-plan for.

“She’s a soccer player,” Virgin Valley coach Bob Snell said. “She’s fearless, she’s well-prepared, she’s well coached.

“We had no problems voting her in as an all-conference player last year; she deserved it. She was one of the better players in the league, boy or girl.”

Lovell said boys players occasionally ask her questions about playing on a boys team, but she hasn’t encountered negative reaction.

“A lot of guys at the beginning of games, if they bump into you, they’ll say, 'Oh, I’m so sorry,’ and they’ll kind of lay off,” she said. “And then after you go around them or pass the ball a few times, they get kind of physical.

“Some of them get mad, but I’ve actually made a lot of friends with guys on teams and coaches.”

Lovell also is a standout track athlete. She won the 2A state title in the 3,200-meter run as a sophomore.

Her speed and endurance have been key in The Meadows’ turnaround from doormat to possible state title contender.

The Mustangs went from 4-12 two years ago to 7-8 last season, reaching the league playoffs for the first time under Shackley, now in his fifth season.

With eight starters returning from that team, expectations are higher this season.

“The team goal last year was to qualify for the playoffs,” Shackley said. “This year, we want to at least get past the first round of the playoffs. We’ve been working hard now for four years to build this.”

The Meadows hasn’t had a girls soccer team since 2005 because of declining numbers, but its goal is to re-establish a girls team next season, Shackley said.

Though Lovell is the only girl on the varsity team, four play on the junior varsity boys team.

“We’re very confident that next year we’ll be able to field a girls team, which is what we should be doing,” Shackley said.

And while Lovell said a girls team would be a positive for The Meadows, she hardly minds finishing her career on the boys team.

“I think it’d be awesome to have a girls soccer team, but I’m pretty glad I won’t be around for that,” she said. “I like playing with the guys.”