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Act on Your Dreams – Defining Perseverance
The Santa Clara Women’s soccer team is once again a force to be reckoned with in College Soccer. After a rough season last year, the Broncos have started off this season in a big way including upsets of two top 10 teams last weekend. Santa Clara upset No. 5 Notre Dame 2-0 Friday night and followed that up with a 3-1 win over No. 7 Purdue on Sunday. Santa Clara’s emergence (5-2-2) back into the national picture is due, in no small part, to the return of Colorado Rush Alum Jordan Angeli. Jordan, a sixth year senior, had spent the last 2 years at Santa Clara rehabbing her knee. A healthy Jordan is clearly paying dividends on the field.
“It’s been great so far. Just being back on the field again has been amazing. I’m so thankful for everyone that has helped me, my family, my coaches, everyone with the Rush. That support system has given me the ability to do the best I can when I get out there. I have a great team around me and it is just so exciting being back on the field. I love it,” Jordan said when asked how it feels to be back on the field.
Jordan hadn’t been in a college match since 2006. Since then she has suffered two torn ACL’s (in the same knee) requiring surgery and rehab. “Physical pain was there but emotionally it was so hard to deal with. That’s why I’m so thankful for the support group around me. They helped me try and stay focused. I always knew I would be back. At first I was really bummed but knew that I had to approach it with a good attitude and everything would turn out alright.”
“Alright” may be an understatement. Jordan currently leads the Broncos in goals (3), including the game winner against Notre Dame, a 40 yard rocket, and points (7) so far this season. Her big goal against Notre Dame and her play against Purdue garnered Jordan enough attention to be named the Soccer America Women’s Player of the Week.
“Well, I am not surprised at all, really,” said Rush President and C.E.O Tim Schulz, who coached Jordan while she played on the U20 National and World Cup team, “She has overcome so many obstacles. This lady is the epitome of tenacity.”
Colorado Technical Director Erik Bushéy agreed saying, “Jordan’s attitude and fortitude are unmatched. I worked with her this summer (she trained with and mentored the 19 girls) and it seems her determination is greater now than ever before. Her mentality is that of a professional.”
Despite everything she’s been through, Jordan still has a great outlook on life and offered this piece of wisdom to the young, up and comers in the Rush organization, “Act on your dreams. It’s great to dream and have big goals but you have to due your part to make those dreams happen.”
Jordan and the rest of her Santa Clara teammates will take on Wisconsin and Colorado this weekend as they look to build on their current 3 game win streak. |
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