Leigh Howard is the University at Albany head coach of the women’s soccer program.  Howard spent two as head women’s soccer coach at Marist College, leading the Red Foxes to an 18-16-4 overall record.  In her first season at the helm, Howard was named MAAC Coach of the Year after seeing her Red Foxes clinch the two-seed in the MAAC Tournament behind a 7-2-1 conference record, an increase of two victories from the year before.  She followed up her first-year performance with the same 7-2-1 MAAC record in year two, again clinching the two-seed in the MAAC Tournament. While at Marist, Howard coached four All-MAAC players, and 23 of the Red Foxes during her stint earned MAAC All-Academic honors.
 
Before Marist, Howard worked as an assistant coach at Bucknell University from 2015-17.  Compiling a 39-17-5 overall record over her three seasons, the Bison made two consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.  In 2016, Howard was part of the staff that earned NSCAA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year Honors.  Her performance with the Bison saw Howard named to the United Soccer Coaches’ 30 Under 30 Program in 2017.
 
Howard began her coaching career at her alma-mater, Trinity College, where she was an assistant from 2012-14 following her graduation.  As a coach, Howard saw her Bantams earn a program-high 13 victories, including the program’s first-ever win in the NCAA Tournament.  The 13-win team was the top-ranked team in the New England region for part of the season, and finished the season ranked in the national top-25 for the first time in history.
 
Beyond her collegiate coaching career, Howard has worked as the head coach with the FSA FC United ECNL U18 club team, and has been an assistant coach with the Connecticut Olympic Development program.
 
Howard graduated Trinity College in May, 2012, having played four years of soccer.  She tied the single-season program record with 26 points during her sophomore season.  Howard was Trinity’s only four-time All-NESCAC selection, and departed the program ranking third in history with 69 points.
 
Howard has taken two trips abroad in association with soccer.  First, in her junior year at Trinity, Howard interned in Cape Town, South Africa, with Amandla EduFootball, where she organized and supervised leagues in 11 children’s homes in the city.  Two years later, in 2013, Howard visited Grenada, Nicaragua, as part of the Soccer Without Borders program.
 
Howard earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2012, and her master’s degree in American Studies in 2014, both from Trinity College.

Highlights

Coaching Experience:

• Head Coach, University at Albany
• Head Coach, Marist College
• Assistant Coach, Bucknell University
• Assistant Coach, Trinity College

Playing Experience:

• Trinity College  (only players selected as 4-time All-NESCAC)