On Wednesday, Janet Rayfield, one of the pioneers of modern collegiate women’s soccer, announced that she is retiring from coaching soccer at the University of Illinois, where she helmed the soccer team for 23 seasons. Rayfield will remain in her position until a successor is hired.
Rayfield had stints as an assistant coach* of the United States Women’s National Team under Pia Sundhage (2009, 2011). Rayfield has also been involved with U.S. Soccer’s youth national teams, most notably as an assistant coach* to Steve Swanson with the 2012 Under-20 Women’s Youth National Team that won the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. The 2012 U-20 USWYNT included then University of Illinois midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo, who is now a member of the Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League.
*Correction: An earlier version of this article accidentally included an extra modifier.
As a college freshman, Rayfield was an original member of the University of North Carolina’s first varsity team. She played four seasons in Chapel Hill under Anson Dorrance, from 1979 to 1982. During her time at UNC, Rayfield was a standout forward, scoring 93 career goals. As a junior, she helped lead the Tarheels to their first national championship, then under the auspices of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). That year, Rayfield was named the “Nike Player of the Year”. In her senior season, UNC won its first NCAA championship.
After UNC, Rayfield returned to her native Texas and worked in software development while playing for club teams.
In 1990, Rayfield began her collegiate coaching career as an assistant to fellow Tarheel Marcia McDermott (1983-1986) at the University of Arkansas (fightingillini.com). In 1993, Rayfield became head coach of the Razorbacks. After six seasons in charge of Arkansas, Rayfield served one year as an assistant at the University of Illinois under Tricia Taliaferro, who is currently the head coach of the U.S Women’s Cerebral Palsy National Team.
After a couple years working for U.S. Soccer, Rayfield was hired as the head coach at the University of Illinois. In her 23 seasons, Rayfield won two Big Ten Championships and led the Illini to the NCAA tournament in 10 seasons.
In addition to DiBernardo, other notable players coached by Rayfield at Illinois, include Emily Zurrer, who had 82 caps for Canada’s senior WNT (Canada Soccer, Wikipedia bio) and Ella Masar (Wikipedia bio).
Rayfield served as president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now known as United Soccer Coaches) from 2003 to 2004. In 2011, she was the first female coach to receive the NSCAA Honor Award.
Recommended Readings:
Women's Soccer Express 