Rice University Women's Soccer

Having completed his sixth season at the helm of the Rice Soccer team in 2024, head coach Brian Lee has already guided the program to unprecedented success. ...

Legendary Rice soccer goalkeeper Bella Killgore completed her first season the team's goalie coach during the 2024 season. The 2025 campaign saw the Owls reach the American Championship Game, following a 1-0 win over Tulsa in the quarterfinal and a 0-0 (6-5 PK) win over South Florida in the semifinal. Rice reached 10 wins for consecutive seasons and spent several weeks in the national top 25. During her first season on the coaching side, Killgore helped develop graduate transfer Faith Hutchins into an AAC All-Conference Second Team selection. Hutchins pitched eight shutouts on the season en route to 12 wins. She became only the third Rice keeper to record 100 saves in a season, joining Amanda Garrison (106 - 2001) and Killgore (103 - 2021). Hutchins finished the season ranked (in the conference) second in save percentage (.82), third in saves (100), third in shutouts (8), and third in saves per game (5.00). In Rice single-game history she was third in saves (100), fifth in shutouts (8), tied for fifth in wins (12) and ninth in minutes played (1777). Killgore returned home for the 2024 season, after playing her college days with the Owls from 2018-22. During her five-year career, Rice captured two regular season titles and one CUSA tournament title (2020-21), where the Owls advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. She was a two-time CUSA Goalkeeper of the Year, two-time All-CUSA First Team and a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-South Region honoree in 2021. She currently holds the s

Braxton Newman enters his fourth season with the Rice soccer team in 2026. Prior to the start of the 2024 campaign, Newman was promoted to the Director of Operations for the soccer program. With the Owls, Newman oversees the day-to-day operations for Rice soccer in addition to team travel, meals, apparel and daily communications. Newman earned a degree in organizational leadership in 2007 from Wright State and later earned a Juris Doctorate from Thomas Cooley Law School in 2010.

Genessee Puntigam enters her third season as an assistant coach for the Rice soccer team in 2026. The 2025 campaign saw the Owls reach the American Championship Game, following a 1-0 win over Tulsa in the quarterfinal and a 0-0 (6-5 PK) win over South Florida in the semifinal. Rice reached 10 wins for consecutive seasons and spent several weeks in the national top 25. During the 2024 season, Puntigam helped lead the Owls to their first AAC Tournament trip and AAC Tournament game victory with a 2-0 win over UAB in the AAC Quarterfinals. The Owls also had a nine-game win improvement from the previous season, securing 12 wins on the season, the fifth-most wins for Rice in program history. The staff's efforts on the season earned them the AAC Coaching Staff of the Year award. Puntigam arrived to South Main after spending the prior nine years playing professional soccer. She began her playing career with Montpellier HSC in France, twice helping them to a runner-up finish in the Coupe de France as well as a runner-up in Feminine Division I. After joining Vittsjo GIK, she spent a year stateside with LA Galaxy OC of the United Women’s Soccer League. She then went back overseas, joining Dijon FCO. Most recently she spent a year with FC Koln as a member of Bundesliga. Puntigam played collegiately at Cal from 2010-13, where she was a key member of the Bears back line that made four straight NCAA appearances. She made 75 starts and was named Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2011.

Legendary Houston Dash goalkeeper and Olympic bronze medalist Jane Campbell joined the Rice soccer team as a volunteer coach ahead of the 2025 season. "I'm incredibly proud to lead an all-female staff made up of world-class talent and experience," Lee said. "With the addition of Jane, alongside Gen Puntigam and Bella Kilgore, we are not only raising the standard of our program but also championing the power of representation in coaching. These women are leaders, role models, and trailblazers who embody what's possible when we invest in opportunities for women in sport." Regarded as one of the greatest keepers in the NWSL, Campbell has appeared in over 150 games with the Houston Dash. She has also been part of the United States National Team, making the Olympic team in 2020 and serving as an alternate in 2024. The 15th pick of the 2017 NWSL Draft, Campbell quickly emerged as one of the league's best with the Houston Dash, being a finalist for the 2017 NWSL Rookie of the Year. During the 2020 season, Campbell recorded four clean sheets en route to Houston's NWSL Challenge Cup trophy, the team's first-ever league title. The 2023 season saw another level of Campbell's game, leading Houston to the team's best defensive season in history. The Dash conceded the fewest goals with just 18 goals allowed, the third-lowest tally ever allowed in league play. Campbell led the league with 93 saves and finished with eight clean sheets, a club and personal record, and was voted the NWSL Goalk