When Springfield College head coach Keith Bugbee caught wind from friend Rick Bagby, now the head coach at Mass. Maritime, that former Scituate (Mass.) High School goalie Jake Reynolds was looking to transfer from Cabrini (Pa.) University, he was happy to learn the standout keeper was looking his way.
Fortunate to land a top-notch cageminder, he soon found that there was far more to his new netminder than just stopping shots.
"I knew Jake because he had a really good high school career, broke records in Massachusetts," Bugbee explained. "I just looked into it and I was really excited that he wanted to come our way. To be honest, he’s a really good goalie, but his biggest impact for us is his leadership. When your best player is your best leader, that’s such a treat."
A tireless worker, Reynolds is the first guy on the field and the last off at practice for Springfield. He dedicates off-hours to having teammates fire more shots on him, spends long bus rides continuing film study of the upcoming opponent, and firmly, vocally encourages those around him.