University of Rochester

University of Rochester
Goergen Athletic Center Rochester, NY 14627

Division 3 New York Northeast

Private Large Developing team

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Coaches

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Ashley Van Vechten

As a four-year starter at the University of Rochester, Ashley Van Vechten '08 was one of the most decorated players in the history of the women's soccer program – both on the field and in the classroom. She has returned to the River Campus to continue the legacy of success. Van Vechten was named as the head coach of the women's soccer program in December 2021.

During her first season as head coach of the Yellowjackets, Van Vechten guided Rochester to a 7-4-5 record overall and 2-3-2 mark in the UAA, playing a top-15 toughest schedule in Division III. UR had three All-UAA players, including Rookie of the Year Gabby Sabatier and a pair of All-Region players. In late October, Rochester drew even at 2-2 with 4th-ranked and eventual national-runner up, Case Western Reserve University, providing the Spartans their lone blemish of the regular season.

Van Vechten returned to the University after coaching for three seasons at Suffolk University where she posted a 25-22-1 record with 20 wins via shutout. After one season, she turned around the program and shaped the Rams into a postseason team, qualifying for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference playoffs in 2019 following an 8-4 record. That turnaround earned her GNAC Coach of the Year honors.

Afterwards, Suffolk moved to the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) but the 2020 season was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Van Vechten guided the Rams to an 11-6 record, 9-1 at home, and 5-4 in conference play. Suffolk reached the CCC playoffs, falling in the quarterfinals.

Under Van Vechten's tutelage, three players earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors in 2021 and six players garnered All-Conference accolades during her time at Suffolk.

She served as an assistant coach at Rochester from 2011-17, the first three as a volunteer and then four more as first assistant coach. Her reputation as one of the best defensive players in the nation was embodied in her work as a coach. Rochester posted 23 shutouts and held 25 other opponents to one goal in 70 games.

As a player for the Yellowjackets from 2004-07, she was part of a defense that posted 48 shutouts and held 67 of 79 opponents to a goal or less. Rochester won 16 games in back to back seasons with Van Vechten in the center of the defense (2005, 2006). The Yellowjackets reached the Sweet 16 in back-to-back seasons.

Van Vechten was named an NCAA Division III All-American for three consecutive years – First Team as a sophomore (2005) and a junior (2006), Second Team as a senior (2007). She was elected First Team All-University Athletic Association in all four playing seasons. The New York State Coaches Association chose her as its Defensive Player of the Year twice and she earned All-State First Team honors in all four years.

Academically, she was a Renaissance Scholar and a Fulbright Scholar. She was named as a Lysle 'Spike' Garnish Scholar in 2007 (presented to the top senior student-athletes). She was a member of the Keidaeans Senior Honor Society.

Van Vechten was elected as an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American in women's soccer by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America. Additionally, she was named as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas (NSCAA) Scholar All-American.

She holds a Level 'C' coaching certification from the United States Soccer Federation. She graduated from Rochester in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts with dual majors in History and German Language and Culture. She studied at Rochester's Warner School of Education doing coursework for an M.S. in Educational Administration, Student Affairs and academic & Career Advising. She has completed an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at Suffolk University, earning that degree in 2020.

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Lauren Pien

Lauren Pien, who has coached soccer on both the East and West Coasts, joined the staff as assistant women’s soccer coach at the University of Rochester in 2022.

It’s a return to her alma mater for Pien who graduated from the University in May, 2016 with dual degrees in computer science and digital media studies. She earned three varsity letters at Rochester. She played in 43 of 52 possible games. Rochester compiled an overall record of 20 wins, 21 losses, and 11 ties. The Yellowjackets were 6-6-5 (won-ost-tied) in 2013, 6-8-4 in 2014, and 8-7-2 in 2015. Rochester played six opponents ranked in the top 25 at the time of the game in 2015. Over the three-year period, the Yellowjacket defense recorded 18 shutouts (13 in the last two seasons).

That makes Pien a good fit alongside Ashley Van Vechten, UR’s head coach. Van Vechten was an assistant coach when Pien was an undergraduate. Van Vechten was named the Yellowjacket head coach on December 9, 2021.

Pien arrives at the River Campus after serving as an assistant coach for the women’s team at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine since March, 2021. She planned and ran training sessions, assisted with team operations, recruited, and managed the social media accounts. Starting in May, 2021, she was the head coach of U19 and U17 girls teams for Seacoast United in Portland, ME, part of the Development Player League.

She launched her coaching career as an assistant coach for U10 and U12 girls with the Andover (Mass.) Soccer Association in 2010. She relocated to northern California and coached with Livermore Fusion Soccer Club (August 2016-August 2021) in the U17, U9, and U8 age groups. She was the boys and girls varsity coach at Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, CA (November 2018-April 2021). She was the head coach of Atletico Futsal Club (Livermore, CA, November 2019-April 2021), and a men’s and women’s assistant coach for Merritt College in Oakland, CA (August 2019-April 2021).

Pien currently is the head coach for RNY FC U16 girls. She was selected to the 2020-21 class of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 Program and currently holds her USSF C License.

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Justin Miles

Justin Miles has joined the Rochester women's soccer coaching staff for the 2022 season.

Miles comes to the River Campus after working for the St. John Fisher University men's program since March of 2020. While with the Cardinals, he primarily served as the goalkeepers coach and helped the team claim the 2020-21 Empire 8 soccer tournament title.

He also currently works as a goalkeeper coach for youth ages 10-18 with the Olympic Development Program for New York State West.

Miles attended St. John Fisher University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media and Communication in 2019. He earned a Master's degree in Sports Administration at Arkansas State University in 2021.

While at St. John Fisher, Miles played three seasons of soccer with the Cardinals. He had a career 1.16 goals against average and made 79 career saves, finishing with a 6-4-4 overall record. The Massachusetts native tallied five clean sheets and finished with a .790 save percentage across 30 career games.