May 31, 2001
WACO, Texas - Baylor soccer head coach Nick Cowell announced the addition of assistant coaches Rj Anderson and Becca Lief to his staff Thursday.
Anderson joins the Baylor staff from the University of Toledo, where he served as head coach from 1995-2000. He will assist head coach Nick Cowell in all facets of the program while focusing on international recruiting.
"Rj brings a lot of experience to Baylor," Cowell said. "Our players will be able to use his knowledge as a resource for many of the situations they find themselves in. He also relates well to the players, which is very important."
Anderson, the first coach in Toledo women's soccer history, compiled a 49-56-5 record in his six years at the helm of the Rockets. Prior to his stint at Toledo, Anderson was head men's soccer coach and director of international admissions at Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minn. Anderson also spent two seasons as men's head coach at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. (1992-1994). In 1992, he was named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Coach of the Year.
In total, Anderson has over 35 years of soccer experience at the national and international level as a coach, official and player. Anderson was a professional player in Scotland for the Glasgow Rangers from 1963-66 and was a semi-professional player in England, Holland, France and West Germany from 1966-1986.
Anderson graduated from Nottingham University in England in 1972 with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. From 1988-1991, he was a top-rated collegiate official while also coaching various youth teams.
Lief graduated in May 2001 from SMU with a degree in public affairs and corporate communication with a minor in psychology. She is currently pursuing her masters degree in sports management. As a graduate assistant coach, she will primarily work with the goalkeepers.
"Becca brings a phenomenal playing career to the table," Cowell said. "Her enthusiasm and experience will really add to the experiences of our goalkeepers."
As a freshman at Vanderbilt, Lief was the starting goalkeeper as the Commordores reached the NCAA round of 16. She transferred to SMU for her sophomore season and split time in goal. As a junior, she returned to the NCAA sweet 16 as starting goalie for the Western Athletic Conference champion Mustangs. In 24 games, Lief set a WAC record and a school record with 13 shutouts.
Lief's senior season, SMU finished 19th in the country but narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament. She earned her second academic all-conference honor and was named first-team all-conference.
