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, and in Dec. 2021, Van Vechten returned to the River Campus to become the fourth head coach of the UR women's soccer program.
Overall, Van Vechten is 59-31-14 (.635) for her career as a head coach, and 34-9-13 (9-5-7 UAA) with the Yellowjackets. Through three seasons, Van Vechten has coached 14 All-UAA honorees, including the Offensive, Defensive and Rookie of the Year, nine All-Region players, two All-Americans, one Academic All-American and one Scholar All-American.
Van Vechten's third season saw the Yellowjackets go 12-4-3 (9-5-7 UAA) against one of the toughest schedules in the country, finish tied for second in the UAA and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Yellowjackets hosted an NCAA Regional Pod for the second-consecutive year while six earned All-UAA honors, four were named All-Region and Natalie Kocsis earned Fourth-Team All-America honors, as well as Second-Team Scholar All-America accolades.
In just her second season at the helm, Van Vechten coached the 'Jackets to their first undefeated regular season in program history, as Rochester went 12-0-5 (3-0-4 UAA), rising to sixth in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and finishing second in the UAA. UR hosted both the NCAA Regional and Sectional Rounds, reeling off three-straight NCAA Tournament wins en route to their furthest postseason run since 1995.
Under Van Vechten's tutelage in 2023, Claire Grover was named a First-Team All-American and a Second-Team Academic All-American, four 'Jackets earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors and five earned All-UAA honors, including both the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. Van Vechten and co. also earned both UAA and Region III Staff of the Year honors, as the Yellowjackets tied for the fifth-most wins in program history and ranked at both the conference and national level in numerous statisical categories.
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.
| YEAR BY YEAR COACHING RECORD |
|
|
OVERALL |
CONFERENCE |
|
| YEAR |
SCHOOL |
WIN |
LOSS |
TIE |
WIN |
LOSS |
TIE |
POSTSEASON |
| 2018 |
Suffolk University |
4 |
10 |
1 |
3 |
8 |
1 |
None |
| 2019 |
Suffolk University |
10 |
6 |
0 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
GNAC Quarterfinals |
| No 2020 season played due to COVID-19 Pandemic |
| 2021 |
Suffolk University |
11 |
6 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
0 |
CCC Quarterfinals |
|
SUFFOLK TOTALS |
25 |
22 |
1 |
16 |
16 |
1 |
|
| 2022 |
University of Rochester |
7 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
None |
| 2023 |
University of Rochester |
15 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
NCAA Elite 8 |
| 2024 |
University of Rochester |
12 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
NCAA 2nd Round |
|
ROCHESTER TOTALS |
34 |
9 |
13 |
9 |
5 |
7 |
2 NCAA Appearances |
|
ROCHESTER PERCENT |
.723 |
.595 |
|
|
GRAND TOTAL |
59 |
31 |
14 |
25 |
21 |
8 |
2 NCAA Appearances |
|
GRAND TOTAL PERCENT |
.635 |
.537 |
* - Indicates UAA Champions |
(updated 12/2024)
