As Alumni Day approaches on March 14, the American University lacrosse program is taking a moment to shine a light on two former Eagles. While they kick off their professional careers beyond the playing field, the impact of their time within the AU lacrosse program helped shape who they are today. 

Jane Reffelt 

Defender

2020-2023

Today: Government Relations Associate at Merchant McIntyre

Jane Reffelt came to American with the school’s excellent political science program at the top of her mind, not knowing the impact that playing lacrosse would make on her over the next four years. Coming in as a freshman in 2020, she joined the team as a preferred walk-on. 

“I was sold on AU as the perfect school to position me for long-term professional opportunities, but lacrosse ultimately became a defining part of my experience,” said Reffelt. “[Playing lacrosse] strengthened my mental toughness, sharpened my discipline, and introduced me to friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Reffelt not only made the team as a walk-on, but she saw consistent playing time and was a starter on one of AU’s best teams in recent years. The defender logged a career-high 17 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers in 2022, helping the Eagles tie their single-season wins record and make the Patriot League Tournament for the first time in nine years. 

Being a part of AU lacrosse opened doors off the field for Reffelt as well, allowing her to participate in meaningful work beyond campus. She joined Grassroots Health in 2022, an organization that empowers NCAA athletes as educators to middle school students on health and physical wellness. 

“The work I got to do for Grassroots Health was one of the greatest parts of my college experience,” said Reffelt. “It allowed me to really immerse myself in the D.C. community and promote health equity, which helped launch me into my career today.”

Reffelt started working for Merchant McIntyre after graduating from AU, continuing to promote health equity on an even larger scale. The federal government relations agency focuses on securing money for cities and counties, and the former Eagle is in the center of it today as a Government Relations Associate. Reffelt fights for nonprofits, helping them secure transformational funding that allows them to address critical policy issues and improve local communities. 

As she builds a professional career centered around community impact, Reffelt was first drawn to the power of community during her time at American. 

“Being a part of a team in which strong, driven young women consistently leaned on each other was a powerful experience. It showed me the value of true community and sisterhood, which is something I intentionally seek in my post-graduate life today.”

Ashley Smith 

Midfield

2022-2025

Today: Completing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at Cornell

Ashley Smith had an inspirational career at AU, overcoming waves of adversity to live the student-athlete experience to the fullest and reach her goals on and off the field. She’s currently in her first year of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Cornell, but her journey there took a team effort.

Smith suffered two separate ACL tears over her career, one during her junior year and another in the fall of her senior year – a perfect storm of bad timing that all but rendered her senior season unplayable. With the goal of attending veterinary school after her final year in the classroom, taking an additional fifth year just to get back on the field was not an option. As uncertainty filled her world, she leaned on her support system within the team.

“When I found out that I tore my other ACL, my entire grade was over at my house within 20 minutes, hands full of my favorite snacks and candy,” said Smith. “Within 10 minutes, my tears turned to laughter, and we had an entire decision tree planned out for the next year, with every possibility mapped out.”

With the help of her trainers, coaches, and teammates, Smith decided to try to get herself healthy enough to play her senior season with a brace on her right leg. After an offseason of intense rehab and recovery, the senior midfielder was ready for AU’s first game of the season in February. Coming off her second ACL tear, Smith appeared in all 16 games and scored four goals for the Eagles. 

Not to be overshadowed by her accomplishments on the field was Smith’s pursuit of veterinary school, as she balanced her physical and mental recovery with rigorous work to complete applications. In January, she found out she had been accepted into Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine. 

“My senior year was better than I could have ever imagined,” said Smith. “I played the whole season and got into my dream vet school! I’ve never felt more supported in my life, by the AU staff, my coaches, friends, and family – their confidence in me carried me through the highs and lows of my recovery and season!”

Smith is off and running in her work at veterinary school today, with the goal of pursuing a small animal specialty internship and residency after she graduates in 2029. In addition to school, she works today as a student Surgery Assistant at the Cornell Hospital for Animals, and as a Student Milker at the Cornell Teaching Dairy Barn.