Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Chalk one up for the little guy – or in this case, the little girl.

Margeaux Hedley stands all of 4-foot-10, give or take an inch. With that height, Hedley, a junior on the Rutgers-Newark women’s soccer team, is not one to stand out in a crowd.

But don’t let the lack of height fool you. Head coach Bill Bustamante wouldn’t trade Hedley for anyone.

“She doesn’t shy away from anything because of her size,” Bustamante said. “She has a heart twice her size. She’s a player I can always count on and she is such a versatile player that she can play every position well. I’ve used her at left back, midfield and forward since I came here. She’s also one of the most consistent players I’ve had. She always brings a high level of intensity to the game. She always continues to give 150 percent.”

There might be a mathematical problem between coach and player.

“I definitely think I’m always the one to give 110 percent every time,” Hedley said.

When Hedley was told her coach thinks she gives about 40 percent more than she does, Hedley replied with a laugh, “I like 150 percent more. It sounds better.”

Hedley has never let her lack of height get in the way with her performance as a soccer player. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

“I definitely use it as a motivation,” said Hedley, who is one of the Scarlet Raiders’ captains despite being only a junior. “It’s a big motivation for me. I feed off it. They always have said that the small girl can’t do anything. I’m out to prove them wrong. I don’t think the height has anything to do with it. It’s all about the effort.”

Hedley said that she doesn’t set out with the idea of proving naysayers wrong.

“It’s just been a part of me and who I am since I was younger,” Hedley said. “I don’t go out to try to prove people wrong. I know I just play hard. That’s what I’m about.”

When Bustamante first took over the Scarlet Raiders’ program a year ago, he was a little taken back by Hedley’s size.

“When I first saw her, I was surprised,” Bustamante said. “But after the first few practices, then the first few games, nothing surprised me. Other schools may overlook her because of her size, but they don’t see what we see. We see a player who is always in the right place at the right time. Her dedication and effort speaks for itself.”

Bustamante now cannot sing the praises of Hedley too much.

“She demonstrates everything you want in a student/athlete and everything you want in a captain,” Bustamante said. “She inspires everyone to play like her and everyone else looks up to her. She carries herself well as a young lady and as a student. She behaves like a leader, acts like a leader and that means a lot. It’s why I made her a captain. I didn’t hesitate one second in giving her that responsibility. You want the others to see what she does with such a small frame. She’s an inspiration.”

Never more so than in a recent game when the diminutive Hedley somehow managed to score a goal off a header.

“She did what she had to do,” Bustamante said. “She never lets her size come into play.”

“It’s all about the ups,” Hedley laughed. “I just got after it, saw what was happening and got my head on the ball. I can see what’s going on.”

Hedley likes the idea that she plays all the different positions except goalkeeper.

“Coach has given me the chance to play everywhere and he has the confidence in me that I can play all of the positions,” Hedley said. “When he needs someone to score, I’m at forward. When he needs someone to move the ball, I’m in the midfield and when he needs someone to stop the play, I’m at defender. I think I’m more comfortable in the midfield, because I can see a little bit more of the field and make a play. I like being a playmaker.”

Hedley also enjoys the role of being a captain.

“I was really excited when Coach told me I was being a captain,” Hedley said. “There’s a little bit of a challenge involved, but it made me feel good that he thought I could lead the team and lead as a captain. It definitely makes me put out even more of an effort, knowing that the rest of the team is counting on me and looking up to me. I always hope they put the same effort that I give. I try to lead by actions more than words.”

Hedley is a nursing major with a minor in psychology at R-N. She will begin her practical and clinical nursing training sometime next year.

“I love working with people and everything that’s medical,” Hedley said. “My parents are both physical therapists, so it’s always been a part of my life. I’ve been around the medical field a lot.”

Hedley was asked about her unique first name.

“Mom (Mary Ellen) was an excellent ballerina when she was younger and she says that I was named after one of her favorite ballet dancers,” Hedley said.

So does Hedley take after Mom in the dancing department?

“Mom does claim that’s how I got my footwork, but oh, no, I’m completely opposite,” Hedley said. “I’m better with my feet kicking a soccer ball.”

And kicking a soccer ball is how the little girl gets to stand out above everyone else on the soccer field.