Assistant Directors

Nicky Adams

Nicky Adams is one of two Assistant Directors and brings elite coaching and playing experience to the Rice Owls Soccer Academy. She is also entering her seventh year as an assistant coach with the Rice University Women's Soccer program. Nicky is the Women's Soccer recruiting coordinator, responsible for organizing the elite recruiting classes that are now wearing the Rice blue and gray, in addition to taking an active role in training and coaching the field players.

Nicky is one of Texas A&M's most decorated players. The El-Paso native ranks third in career points (140), second in goals (57), and fifth in assists (26) for the Aggies, and her 391 shots rank as the most in Texas A&M history. In addition to being one of the most dangerous forwards in the nation during her playing career at Texas A&M, her elite status earned her the opportunity to play professionally in the Women's United Soccer Association, as the Atlanta Beat's second selection in the WUSA's 2002 draft.

Nicky Adams Highlights:
*NSCAA All American 1999 and 2001
*Herman Trophy Nominee 2000 and 2001
*WUSA Professional Player for the Atlanta Beat
*Big 12 Championship team member for Texas A&M 1997 and 2001
*NCAA Tournament Elite Eight team with Texas A&M
*NSCAA All Central Region Selection 1998, 1999, and 2001
*Big 12 All Conference Selection 1998, 1999, and 2001
*Texas A&M Offensive MVP 1998

Sebastian Vecchio

Working with Nicky, also in the capacity of Assistant Director, is Sebastian Vecchio, who brings with him a wealth of experience at the college and ODP level. Sebastian just completed his first season as an assistant coach with the Rice University Women's Soccer program. Sebastian trains the Rice goalkeepers and field players, compiles scouting reports, and assists with recruiting for the Rice Women's Soccer team.


Prior to Rice, Sebastian was an assistant coach at Memphis for four years, where he trained the goalkeepers and assisted with recruiting.  Under his tutelage, the Memphis keepers posted 33 shutouts and 54 victories.  A year ago, the Lady Tigers shared the C-USA lead in shutouts (9) and finished second in goals-against average (0.93) and fewest goals allowed (20).  The Memphis keepers posted a .787 save percentage to win the C-USA Tournament for a second year in a row and advance to national postseason play in the NCAA Tournament.  

Sebastian Vecchio Highlights:
* Allowed just 12 goals in more than 1,500 minutes of play as the goalkeeper at Memphis in 2004.
*Holds Memphis school record for goals-against average with an astounding 0.69 goals against average. 
* 2004 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year
* 2004 first team all-Conference USA
* USSF "C" Licensed Coach
* NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma
* Served as Head goalkeeping coach for Alabama ODP 
* Member of U-16 Argentina National Team