VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- The 2022 Senior Nexus Championship (NXC) took place from July 17 through July 22 in Virginia Beach, VA. Athletes who trialed and trained at one of the seven USA Field Hockey High Performance Centers around the country during the spring and early summer had the opportunity to be selected to this year's Senior NXC. 144 of these elite athletes were selected to take part in the event hailing from areas all across the country. The athletes were separated into eight teams of approximately 18 players and began team training sessions on July 17 proceeding into the first games the next day. 

Junior Forward Meghan Mitchell just came off an outstanding performance during her 2021 season leading the Villanova offense and contributing as the Wildcats leading scorer. Mitchell finished the past season with a whopping 28 points, 10 goals, and eight assists (tied for second most in the BIG EAST). Mitchell has established herself as a key player for the Wildcats in her two years on the team and has the stats along with a pair of BIG EAST All-Conference honors to show for it.

Mitchell jumped at the opportunity to continue playing field hockey at the PA regional performance center where she showcased her skills through multiple training sessions.

"I think that allowed for just learning from different coaches and different players. I was really excited for the opportunity. Throughout training there, I gained a lot more confidence in my skill and grew a lot as a player," Mitchell expressed. "I definitely felt like I developed as a player throughout training there and then going into the Senior Nexus Championship."

Her hard work was awarded by being invited to the 2022 Senior NXC where she had a new opportunity to shine. Mitchell had the opportunity to play with and against many athletes that she has competed against in season as well as some in other conferences.

"We played against a bunch of girls that we usually play throughout the season. There was a lot of girls from Liberty University, which one of one of our rivals. It was really cool to play with them as well as a lot of girls from other colleges as well," Mitchell commented.

Mitchell was placed on the Salt Lake City team which was coached by Kelly Marks and was compromised of women from all over the country. In both round one and the championship game of the tournament, Mitchell started the game as a forward with Salt Lake City and had a considerable amount of playing time even scoring in round three for her team. The team ended up going 2-0-2, tying with Los Angeles and St. Louis and beating Atlanta and Paris.

The style of play was certainly different than Mitchell's typical competition since she was going up against the best of the best. Although the competition was fierce, she enjoys the chance to experience different playing styles from players in opposing conferences.

"I think on my team in particular, there was a wide range of players, so it was cool to kind of come together with girls that we usually play against throughout the season," Mitchell said. "There were a lot of girls from the ACC and the Big 10 in the tournament, which are both very competitive field hockey conferences, so it was great to play against them. Just seeing the discrepancies between the style of play amongst each conference and how those players came together in the tournament I thought was really unique."

The Gold Medal match against Paris had a tough start. Although Salt Lake seemed to be controlling the field their shots were not hitting and they were down by two in the fourth period. Mitchell was a large contributor to getting the team moving in the fourth starting up the momentum and getting the ball rolling towards their first goal. In a span of just three minutes, Salt Lake had scored three goals to take the lead and held that lead until the end.

Mitchell recapped the moment when Salt Lake began their run as she was key to setting the win in motion.

"I got a really good pass from one of the defenders, Kelsey [Reviello], and then was able to just track down the sideline and go into the circle in order to get a corner, which was what we ended up scoring on. And I think that was a really big moment because that was the moment where we were just continuing to keep pushing," Mitchell explained.

Being selected to the Senior NXC is a step in the Olympic Development Pathway program. Mitchell who had a solid performance in play with the Salt Lake City team has another opportunity to showcase her skills in the upcoming Development Squad Selection Camp which is set to be held in the winter of 2022-2023. If she steps up the challenge, she could be selected to the 2022-2023 U.S. Women's National Field Hockey Team and Junior USWNT Selection Camp.

Mitchell had a late start compared to others in the USWNT circuit who start their training at these facilities as early as middle school. Despite what some may see as a setback or disadvantage, Mitchell persevered and was determined to get the chance to play on a national stage. Her advice to others seeking this path is to work hard and have confidence.

"Even if it takes you a little bit longer to get into the system and everything, I think you just have to keep going and keep continuing to work hard and have fun because you never know what's down the road as long as you keep believing in yourself," Mitchell said.

Head Coach Joanie Milhous expressed great enthusiasm about Mitchell competing in the Senior NXC as well as her upcoming participation in the development camp.

"I am very excited for Meghan and how well she played in the Senior Nexus Championships. Her work rate, attitude, and skill level have really shined," said Milhous. "To be invited to the US Field Hockey Selection Camp is such an honor and we couldn't be prouder of her."

Mitchell will return to the U.S. National Women's Field Hockey stage in the winter but is currently focused on the upcoming Wildcats season. The Wildcats host the Sharks of LIU Friday, August 26 at 3pm at the Proving Grounds.