The University at Albany announced on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 that Leigh Howard will take over as head coach of the women’s soccer program.
2021, Howard’s first full season, saw UAlbany jump three spots in the standings on the final day of the regular season with a victory at Binghamton to clinch fourth place in the final conference standings and home-field advantage in the America East quarterfinal round. The team went 6-8-4 overall and 4-3-2 in the America East. After starting the season 0-5-2, the Great Danes turned around their season starting with a double-overtime tie at then-first place Hartford, and, two games later, defeated then-first place UMass Lowell in overtime. The victory over Binghamton in the regular-season finale led to a quick rematch in the quarterfinals with the Bearcats at Casey Stadium, where the Great Danes once again claimed victory and advanced to the semifinal round. There, UAlbany fell 3-1 to top-seed Vermont. Jasmine Colbert ranked second in the America East with nine goals and 19 total points, and was named All-Conference First Team with Olivia Piraino, and freshman goalkeeper Cassandra Coster, who took over the starting role following a season-ending injury to original starter Sophia Chen, was named to the All-Rookie team after finishing the season second in the conference in save percentage and third in goals-against average.
Howard’s first season was upended by COVID-19, and she did not make her sideline debut until 369 days after her initial hiring. That season, an abbreviated, divisional schedule played in the spring of 2021, saw the Great Danes go 5-5-0 and 4-2-0 against the America East. Jasmine Colbert was named America East Striker of the Year, scoring five goals on the season. Each of Colbert’s five goals were the game-winner in each of UAlbany’s five victories. Beyond Colbert, Hailey Summers also made the America East All-Conference First Team and All-Academic Team. Colbert’s twin sister, Jada, was named All-Conference Second Team with Olivia Piraino. Piraino was also named All-Rookie with Margot Nezaj
Howard spent two seasons 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.
