By Morgan Alexander

Meredith Flaherty has been keeping the Piranhas' goal of remaining undefeated through her superior goalkeeping skills. Sitting solely atop the Atlantic division, the Piranhas realize that they are now every team's target, yet Flaherty and company will not be satisfied until they bring a W-League National Championship to Hampton Roads.
Not only is the team fighting the league for a National Championship and the honors that that will bring, but the team feels that a league championship will go a long way in fighting their way into the Virginia Beach's Sportsplex. "I don't know the politics involved because I haven't been around long, and everybody seems to be tight lipped about why our home field is not the Sportsplex," says Flaherty. "We don't feel like we have much clout. But, winning a National Championship will be making a big statement."
Flaherty was signed at the beginning of this season from being sniped by the WUSA New York Power, where she was a second round draft pick. Calling Bradenton, FL, (outside of Sarasota) home, Flaherty's friends and family were not surprised when she told them that she was moving to Virginia Beach to play professional soccer. "Everyone sort of thought I was crazy anyway, so it was like, "Oh, there she goes again." But they agreed that it was time to move on in another direction. I was fortunate to take advantage of the situation because I was going through some major life changes, being that I was going through a divorce," she nervously laughs. "But this has been a great move, and I admit that one of the attractions was the beach."
But, like nearly all residents, Flaherty doesn't find time to visit the oceanfront. Staying busy with the team and the training and travel involved, being on staff with the Virginia Rush (a youth soccer camp), and working part time as a counselor, Flaherty doesn't have much opportunity to hit the beach. She doesnÕt seem to mind, though, since she is totally enamored with the game of soccer.
"As a goal keeper, by the nature of the position, I see a lot of the field. So I see my role on the team as being an organizer. I'm a very verbal player, and maybe off the field my teammates would agree that I have a tendency to talk too much," she jokes. "So even though I may be a very intense player, I'm the class clown on the team. I'll make up stories and be more of a goofball to keep things fun."
Winning is also fun, and the Piranhas have been doing a lot of that. "We're having a fantastic season, but as a team we have set our sights as high as we could, and that's staying undefeated and winning the W-League National Championship," she states.
The Piranhas play all of their home games at Landstown High School off of Princess Anne in Virginia Beach. The team's relocation to Landstown High School seems to fit in to Flaherty's philosophy on her career and the advice that she gives to youngsters. "If you enjoy the game and work hard at it, there is always a place for you to play. There are colleges and leagues of all levels. Also, there are a lot of camps for you to participate in and play soccer.
"By the way, if kids in the area are interested in soccer, there are a number of weeks left to The Virginia Rush camp, where kids have a lot of fun learning the game." For more information, pick up a brochure at the next game or visit the Rush website at...www.varush.com, where they boast "Soccer, Sun, and Celebrities."