As a kid, Jordan Reicher was interested in two things: soccer and playing at the collegiate level. Eventually, she would come to realize that field hockey was her true calling, despite having never played the sport until her freshman year of high school.
“At first, I didn’t think I was good enough to be at national tournaments, but I played anyway,” Reicher said.
This mindset of never backing down in the face of numerous challenges carried her through the country, from California to Washington, D.C.
Although the quality of competition increased while in D.C., Reicher repeated the same message in her head: “I know I’m faster than this girl, and I’m just going to run as fast as I can.”
She attributes this way of thinking to all her successes. Whether it was scoring her first goal in August 2023 or becoming an All-American in 2025, the values that Reicher carried from years of practice ultimately contributed to who she is today.
“If you told me freshman year I’d be here, I would’ve laughed,” Reicher said. “Now I look back and think — why wouldn’t I envision this?”
Reicher expanded on this by explaining that although she loved the sport, her talent was never fully realized until junior year.
“I had [some] moments early sophomore year where I felt confident, [but] this year, I was steady: my skills improved, my mental health was really good and I didn’t have dips in my play.”
Her play and effort eventually rewarded her, and she was named Offensive Player of the Year. Reicher hopes to share some of her competitive drive with her teammates to strengthen unity on and off the field.
“I think hating to lose is really important, not being a sore loser but truly hating to lose,” Reicher said. “If we all share that same motivation, this team will be really successful.”
That motivation ultimately comes from the team’s faith in each other, something that head coach Steve Jennings says Reicher inspires.
“Her teammates have a lot of faith in her,” Jennings said. “On the field, she leads with energy and effort, which makes her easy to follow. Off the field, she has a ton of charisma, so younger players really look up to her and want to learn.”
Reicher’s leadership and consistency were two of the biggest factors in the team’s strongest finish since 2021, ending the 2025 season with a 12-6 record. The key to maintaining that success, Reicher says, is determination.
“I want them to see that if you’re determined enough, you can get anything done on the field.”
That determination continues to carry her to new heights as Reicher plans to play overseas next year.
“I’m planning to go play in Australia, and if I have a shot with the USA National Team, I’m going to take it,” Reicher said.
As her collegiate tenure comes to a close, Reicher defined what it meant to never back down in the face of adversity. Although her path wasn’t straightforward, it was her mindset that propelled her to greater heights.
“People didn’t really know who I was before, and now they’re like, ‘Who is that?’” Reicher said.
Everyone knows who she is now, and according to Jennings, she won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
“Her impact is still being written,” Jennings said, “She continues to push herself and compete at a high level, and that drive is something that will leave a lasting mark on the program.”
This article was edited by Matthias Jaylen Sandoval, Jack Stashower and Gabrielle McNamee. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman, Arin Burrell, Mattie Lupo and Ryan Sieve.
