Chasing Titles: Brian Lee and the Owls Take Aim in 2025
(image via Juan DeLeon/Rice University)
Rice University women’s soccer has never shied away from big challenges, and head coach Brian Lee wouldn’t have it any other way.
In his seventh season at the helm, Lee has continued his tradition of testing the Owls against the very best. Already this season, Rice took on a daunting matchup against defending national champions North Carolina — exactly the kind of game Lee seeks out.
“We really want to try and see if we can get an away game at the defending national champion,” Lee explained. “It helps us see where we’re at really early against the best teams in the country.”
The Owls held their own in Chapel Hill, defending well for long stretches against the Tar Heels despite a few unfortunate breaks. For Lee, the benefits go beyond results. Games like UNC — along with upcoming clashes against Oklahoma State and other power-conference opponents — sharpen Rice for its ultimate goals: winning the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and returning to the NCAA Tournament.
A Deeper, More Competitive Squad
Rice comes into 2025 with a deeper roster than ever before. Returning standouts are joined by impact transfers and a talented freshman class, creating fierce competition for playing time.
“We’re playing 23–24 kids a game early,” Lee said. “That’s got to get down to 20, maybe 18. The competition is tough, but it makes us better.”
One player already drawing national attention is forward Leah Chancey, who broke out last season and now finds herself on preseason watch lists from media around the country. Lee praised her consistency and ability to be a difference-maker in front of goal. “She scored a ton of goals last year, but it was consistent — about a goal a game. She’s always around the box, always trying to score.”
The Holloway Advantage
Last year, Rice went 10-1-1 at Holloway Field, and Lee credits both the setting and the student support.
“Our student support is fantastic. When they turn out, they’re worth a goal a game,” he said. “It’s a beautiful place to play, right on campus, looking at the Med Center. It can be intimidating for opponents.”
This season, with fewer home games on the schedule, Lee emphasizes the importance of protecting Holloway.
More Than Just Soccer
The Owls’ success is rooted in culture as much as tactics. Lee and his staff prioritize building strong relationships with their players, whether through group dinners at his home or one-on-one meetings at coffee shops.
“We’re super relationship-based,” Lee said. “With student-athletes today, you need to have a relationship before you try to coach them.”
That culture is strengthened by Rice’s unique academic environment. Lee sees it as a recruiting advantage: “We’re basically an Ivy League school playing in Texas. The best players want high academics, and Rice gives them that along with Division I soccer.”
Houston Talent, National Ambitions
With multiple Houstonians on the current roster and strong ties to local clubs, Rice continues to invest in Houston’s booming soccer scene. Lee believes it’s vital to keep local talent close to home: “There’s so much soccer here. It’d be crazy not to try to keep as much of it as we can in Houston.”
Looking ahead, Lee sees the Owls poised for even bigger things. Recruiting classes for 2026 and 2027 are already ranked among the nation’s best, and the goal is clear: consistent top-20 finishes, AAC titles, and deeper NCAA tournament runs.
For now, though, the focus is on day-to-day improvement and another successful season in 2025.
“We’ve been to the Sweet 16 before,” Lee said. “But I think we can go even further.”
And for Houston soccer fans, he extends a simple invitation: “Come see us. These are student-athletes you’d want your kids to look up to. They’re total class, win, lose, or draw.”
You can listen to our full interview with Coach Lee on our YouTube channel and everywhere you get your podcasts.
