For Newburyport's Meghan Ryan, a senior tri-captain on the Trinity College field hockey team, serving as the last line of defense has never been about standing out.

Because when you play defense as well as Ryan, people shouldn't notice you.

Thanks to Ryan and her defensive line, Trinity College is rolling along at quite the clip. Undefeated at 13-0, the Bantams are outscoring opponents 2.92 to 0.77 goals per game while holding all comers to a shot percentage of .057.

Following a 2-1 overtime Bantams victory over previously unbeaten Tufts University, the No. 4 ranked team in the nation has not put this much focus on defense since their last undefeated season in 1997 when the team was under the helm of Robin Shepard.

"Our defense right now is keeping us alive, and Meg's a big reason for that," said nine-year Trinity coach Anne Parmenter, who had previously spent 14 years as head coach of Connecticut College. "She plays sweeper so she's the kind of kid who has to mark a player out on the other team, and she does exactly what you tell her."

A former Newburyport High School Cape Ann League All-Star under then-coach Amy Heath, Ryan's final Clipper team was the 2005 Division 2 North champion and was runner-up in the Eastern Massachusetts final. Ryan made the transition from offense to defense her freshman year and cemented herself as a stalwart along the striking circle.

"We pride ourselves on being a strong defensive unit and trying to not give up defensive corners," said Ryan. "Our defensive unit has recorded six shutouts this fall, and my mentality on the field is to protect our goalkeeper and constantly generate offensive opportunities."

Parmenter explained that Ryan is more than just a terrific field hockey player.

"I teach a first year seminar and she's my senior mentor in that seminar, so I get a double dose of Meg and, really, she is just the girl on campus," said Parmenter. "She's an admission counselor, she's a model student who's great with the younger kids, and she is just you're A-1-perfect kid. You wish that everyone was like that."

Following Friday's senior night showdown against 10-3 rival Amherst College, Ryan believes Trinity is capable of winning a national title.

"We are in a really good place right now and our team chemistry is attributable to our success thus far and how far we will go into the postseason," said Ryan, whose team has already beaten two-time national champion Bowdoin College.

"I personally don't think that what we have done is any sort of accomplishment so far," said Ryan. "We have a perfect record right now, but we still have a long way to go. Having an undefeated regular season would be great, but it is not the ultimate goal."

The Ryan Files

Name: Meghan Ryan

Age: 22

From: Newburyport

Jersey number: 10

Major: Economics

Minor: Writing and rhetoric

Future plans: MBA/MS in sports management

GPA: 3.7

Hobbies: Boating, New England sports

Siblings: Kevin, 20; Courtney, 11

Favorite food: Hodgies cookies and cream ice cream