Nathan Reichel enters his third season on the sidelines with the Lakers, taking on the role of Defensive Coordinator for the 2024 season. In his previous role, Reichel led the Lakers' offense to an impressive 14.69 goals per game, contributing to the team's second consecutive GMAC championship. Under his guidance, the Lakers' offense boasted three USILA All-Region players, two USILA All-Americans, two USA Lacrosse All-Americans, and multiple All-Conference honorees.
In his first season with Mercyhurst in 2023, Reichel made an immediate impact as the Lakers reached the National Championships for the first time since 2013. The team posted a 16-3 overall record and a 6-1 mark in GMAC play. They began postseason play with a commanding 22-8 victory over Lake Erie in the GMAC Semifinals, followed by a win over Seton Hill in the conference championship to claim their first GMAC title since 2021. The Lakers continued their postseason success by defeating St. Anselm and Le Moyne in the NCAA Tournament, ultimately making an appearance in the National Championship. During that remarkable season, 11 players were named to All-GMAC teams, with accolades including Offensive Player, Defensive Player, and Specialist of the Year. Additionally, the team earned eight USILA All-Region honors and nine USILA All-American honors, highlighted by Shawn Doran being named National Player of the Year.
A native of Erie, PA, Nathan Reichel is a graduate of Seton Hill University. Before joining Mercyhurst, he gained valuable coaching experience as an Assistant Coach at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Reichel's dedication and strategic acumen have been instrumental in the Lakers' success, and he is poised to bring the same level of excellence to his role as Defensive Coordinator. The Mercyhurst community looks forward to the continued growth and achievements of the lacrosse program under his leadership.
