Kansas City, Mo. - Fighting Illini Soccer head coach Janet Rayfield has been recognized as the 2015 NSCAA Women's Soccer Award of Excellence recipient, as announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) on Thursday, Dec. 3.
This award is presented by the NSCAA Women's Membership Advocacy Group and sponsored by the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS). Rayfield will be presented this honor at the Coaches of Women's Soccer Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 16 at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore.
In her 14 seasons as head coach of the Fighting Illini, Rayfield established the University of Illinois women's soccer team as one of the premier programs in the nation. She has led Illinois to the NCAA Tournament in 10 of her 14 seasons at the helm, highlighted by the Illini's fourth Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2013. Rayfield is a two-time NSCAA Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year (2010-11) and 2011 Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Rayfield began her soccer career at the University of North Carolina before playing professionally with the Ladies' Football Club in Dallas. She tallied 223 points on 93 goals and 37 assists during her time with the Tar Heels, bringing the team to two national championships and earning All-American honors and a Nike Player of the Year honor.
Rayfield has been an active member of the NSCAA since 1991, serving on several committees and on the Association's Board of Directors before her 2003 term as NSCAA President. She also served as an NSCAA Academy Coaching Staff instructor and is a regular clinician at the annual NSCAA Convention. Additionally, Rayfield has also worked as the national staff coach for U.S. Soccer, and has served on the coaching staff of the U.S. Women's National Team and several Youth National Teams.
The NSCAA Women's Soccer Award of Excellence was established in 1999 to recognize those who have brought honor and distinction to women's soccer. WAGS has supplied sponsorship funds from this award to be used in the promotion of the women's game through various inner-city programs. Funds also will be donated to charities that promote female soccer participation.
NSCAA Convention attendees wanting to see to see Rayfield's award presentation can add a "Coaches of Women's Soccer Breakfast" ticket to their registration. For more information, click here.
