Soccer has been a huge part of Morgan Reese's journey, providing opportunities for growth and persistence, and eventually leading the third-year player to Tiffin's women's soccer program.

She has been immersed in the sport from the very beginning.

"My older sister played in high school, so I wanted to be like my big sister," said Reese. "I started in 2002 and have been playing for 18 years now, pretty much as soon as I was able to play competitively."

The road to Tiffin has not been without obstacles, however, as Reese encountered a substantial roadblock at the start of her high school career.

"My freshman year of high school I had a pretty significant injury where I was in a wheelchair for two weeks and off my feet for a couple of months," said Reese.

There were those who said that Reese should try to not come back very quickly or even not play again at all. That was seven years ago, and Reese has since not only since participated in high school soccer, but earned a spot on Tiffin's roster and has been able to compete collegiately for three years now.

"It was hard, I was disappointed in myself even though I knew that it wasn't my fault, and I was so discouraged, felt like quitting soccer, and was frustrated constantly," said Reese. "But I discovered that as long as you can take an experience like that and turn it into a need to work harder, you can bounce back and achieve anything."

That drive to work harder and persevere has been evident to new head coach Dean Joseph right from the beginning.

"Morgan always gives her best effort in training and she is so consistent," said Joseph. "This consistency is a great element to have in a player because you know what you are going to get every day."

Reese has thoroughly enjoyed her athletic experience at Tiffin and is very glad that her path has led her to where she is today.

"It's been awesome here, being a part of a team makes the transition to college easier because you are automatically handed a group of friends from the start," said Reese.

"She never wants to let anyone down so she gives her best in everything she does," said Joseph. "She never makes excuses and finds a way to get to the solution before there is a problem. I see such an immense leader in her and I know over time this is going to have a huge impact on the team."

Plenty of excuses could have been made when the enormous problem of the COVID-19 pandemic hit back in March, canceling the remainder of the team's spring season and eventually leading to the postponement of the fall schedule.

"At first we were disappointed and the vibe of the team was down," said Reese. "With [Coach Joseph] being new, it was kind of hard to get to know him and get a good start to the year. This is the first time in a long time that most of us haven't played soccer in the fall."

Reese and her teammates have been able to overcome the initial hardships and spin things in a positive direction.

"I think now we've been able to adjust to it and use the extra time that we've had with the new coach to really develop as a team."

That extra time is sure to benefit the Dragons as they prepare for their recently announced spring schedule. Reese is grateful that the team will have the opportunity to compete this year, and will continue to train and put a larger focus on things outside of athletics, like the rigors of academics, while they wait for the season to begin in March. 

"Academically, Tiffin has provided a lot of opportunities to learn and succeed," said Reese. "The professors are so out to help everyone, and all around it has been a really great academic experience for me."

Once her time at Tiffin comes to an end, Reese plans on using the experience that she has gotten in her classes and while being in the military to work towards a career in the government, doing intelligence or counter-terrorism work.

As her record of perseverance and consistency suggests, Reese is sure to succeed at the path that she chooses and benefit those around her in many ways.