Culture shift drives early success for Rice Soccer in 2024 season

By Ana Rivera     8/27/24 11:21pm

As Rice Soccer kicks off its 2024 season, the atmosphere around the program is one of optimism and steady growth. Coming off a 3-13-2 record, head coach Brian Lee said he was confident in the team’s development due to a strong offseason and a commitment to improvement.

“I think there’s been progress every game,” Lee said. “We have had four games this season, and we are thrilled with where we are. The girls had a great offseason, came back super fit and committed, and we’re just growing as a group.” 

The team’s goal of building a cohesive unit has extended beyond fitness and technical skills, Lee said. He emphasized the importance of team culture, drawing comparisons to previous seasons and highlighting the positive shift this year.

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“Last year, I didn’t think our culture was great, and the results of our season proved it,” Lee said.  “In the years before, we had a solid culture and strong results. It is a super important part of the team that starts with me and the staff. We’re super proud of the leadership group on the team. They’ve done a great job.”

Several new players have also joined the team. According to Lee, integrating these new faces has been a focus, and the results are beginning to show on the field.

“Bailey Deering, our strength and conditioning coach, did a fantastic job with the returnees, and our coaching staff brought in some high-quality, high-character new players to help the cause as well,” Lee said. “When those two crossroads met, it paid off with a good start.”

Lee said freshman forward Dayo Tennyson has already emerged as a critical player in the team’s early success due to her maturity and poise on the field.

“She’s a great student-athlete and a really good fit for Rice,” Lee said. “From day one, she’s really worked hard to establish herself in the team and then been calm when she got the chance.”

Lee said this year’s team has focused on fostering a supportive environment where players are encouraged to push each other to improve, both on and off the field. The culture, according to Lee, is what will drive the team forward as they navigate the challenges of the season.

“As the season progresses, I’m just excited that they want to keep improving, and we enjoy being around each other,” Lee said. “From the staff right through all the players, day-to-day is fun and everybody receives a lot of value from watching everybody else improve.”

The Owls have started the season with a 3-1 overall record, including an undefeated 3-0 at home. They secured victories against Texas State University, the United States Naval Academy and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Their only loss came in Tallahassee against Florida State University, the top NCAA-ranked team as of August 19, 2024. As they prepare for conference games in the weeks ahead, the team will look to build on this solid foundation.

The Owls will host Lamar University at Holloway Field on Thursday, August 29, at 6:05 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.

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