Saint Leo University women’s assistant soccer coach Sarah Leiby has been named to the United Soccer Coaches’2019-2020 30 Under 30 Program, which recognizes the top 30 soccer coaches in the nation under the age of 30 years old.
This year’s 30 Under 30 class features 15 men and 15 women selected from a pool of nearly 300 applicants. Leiby was named among 18 college coaches, nine youth coaches and three high school coaches.
Leiby is in her first year at Saint Leo alongside first-year head coach Peter McGahey. McGahey hired Leiby out of an assistant coaching position at Montana State University earlier this year.
Prior to two seasons at Montana State University, Leiby helped build the Black Hills State University (Spearfish, South Dakota) women’s soccer program during its inaugural season in 2016. She holds both a United States Soccer Federation National “C” and “D” license and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Goalkeeping Level III diploma.
As part of the 30 Under 30 class, Leiby will receive an educational scholarship, which provides registrations for the United Soccer Coaches Convention and an Advanced Diploma course of the coach’s choosing, as well as a travel stipend to cover costs for attending these events. In addition, Leiby will be matched with a mentor dedicated to fostering her growth in the game and expanding her coaching network.
Before her coaching career, Leiby competed at the NCAA Division I level as a goalkeeper at the University of Vermont. As a Catamount, she saw action in 25 games and started in 23 during her playing career. In 2011, she set a single-season record for minutes played by a goalkeeper with 1,693 and led the America East Conference (AEC) in saves. She earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science in 2014 and was a three-time AEC Academic All-League selection.
A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, she is a graduate of WC Bayard Rustin High School in the Keystone State.
