Photo by: Juan DeLeon
Brian Lee Signs Extension Through 2026
10/28/2021 12:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HOUSTON, Texas — After its most successful season in history that saw Rice Soccer achieve heights never before seen on South Main, Rice Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard has announced that soccer coach Brian Lee has agreed to an extension that will run through the 2026 season.
"Brian has very quickly impacted our soccer program in many positive ways," said Karlgaard. "In addition to winning a conference championship and advancing in the NCAA tournament, his data-driven approach and even temperament are perfect fits for our program. I'm excited to see Coach Lee build Rice Soccer into a national power as he continues to develop our players into outstanding leaders and teammates."
"I am unbelievably excited to plan for a bright future at Rice," said Lee. "I want to thank Joe Karlgaard, Stacy Mosely and our entire leadership team for the opportunity to lead the soccer program at one of the elite universities in the nation. Our administration, soccer staff and both current and future student-athletes are very much aligned in our collective vision for the future of Rice Soccer. We are proud of the success we've had in our time here, but I am confident that the best is yet to come."
In just his second season, Lee guided the Owls to their best season in school history, tying a school record with 14 victories, winning the Conference USA regular season and tournament championships, earning their first victory in the NCAA Tournament and making an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. They also defeated their highest ranked opponent in school history with a win over fifth-ranked West Virginia.
Under Lee's tutelage, defender Mijke Roelfsema became Rice's first-ever First Team All-American. She also earned Conference USA Defender of the Year, Bella Killgore was named the C-USA Goalkeeper of the Year and Lee was named the C-USA Coach of the Year.
Rice began this year ranked in all three preseason polls for the first time in school history while jumping out to its best start in school history.
Lee's 34 wins in his first three seasons are the most by a head coach in school history and he became the first coach to earn at least 10 victories in each of their first three seasons.
The Owls enter tonight's regular season finale at North Texas with a 10-5-1 record. Rice then heads to Boca Raton, Fla., for the Conference USA Tournament, Nov. 1-7.
"Brian has very quickly impacted our soccer program in many positive ways," said Karlgaard. "In addition to winning a conference championship and advancing in the NCAA tournament, his data-driven approach and even temperament are perfect fits for our program. I'm excited to see Coach Lee build Rice Soccer into a national power as he continues to develop our players into outstanding leaders and teammates."
"I am unbelievably excited to plan for a bright future at Rice," said Lee. "I want to thank Joe Karlgaard, Stacy Mosely and our entire leadership team for the opportunity to lead the soccer program at one of the elite universities in the nation. Our administration, soccer staff and both current and future student-athletes are very much aligned in our collective vision for the future of Rice Soccer. We are proud of the success we've had in our time here, but I am confident that the best is yet to come."
In just his second season, Lee guided the Owls to their best season in school history, tying a school record with 14 victories, winning the Conference USA regular season and tournament championships, earning their first victory in the NCAA Tournament and making an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. They also defeated their highest ranked opponent in school history with a win over fifth-ranked West Virginia.
Under Lee's tutelage, defender Mijke Roelfsema became Rice's first-ever First Team All-American. She also earned Conference USA Defender of the Year, Bella Killgore was named the C-USA Goalkeeper of the Year and Lee was named the C-USA Coach of the Year.
Rice began this year ranked in all three preseason polls for the first time in school history while jumping out to its best start in school history.
Lee's 34 wins in his first three seasons are the most by a head coach in school history and he became the first coach to earn at least 10 victories in each of their first three seasons.
The Owls enter tonight's regular season finale at North Texas with a 10-5-1 record. Rice then heads to Boca Raton, Fla., for the Conference USA Tournament, Nov. 1-7.
Players Mentioned
GK
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