CINCINNATI --- Xavier University announced today that University of Cincinnati associate head coach
Nate Lie (pronounced LEE) has been hired as XU's new head women's soccer coach. Lie, who joined UC in January of 2013 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, previously spent four seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for his alma mater, Miami University.
"We are excited to welcome Nate onboard at Xavier," said Xavier Director of Athletics
Greg Christopher. "He's been part of rebuilding processes before and knows the energy and work needed to turn programs around. Nate brings impressive experience to Xavier, he's well-respected in recruiting circles and he understands all facets of running a program."
"I am excited about the opportunity to represent such a prestigious university," said Lie, who was the "head coach in waiting" at UC. Now he gets his head coaching chance at Xavier. "I am eager to begin the process of reestablishing Xavier's program and doing it with honor and integrity. I'd like to start by thanking (Director of Athletics)
Greg Christopher, (Associate AD)
Brian Hicks and the entire search committee. I'd be remiss if I also didn't thank the two head coaches I have worked for, Neil Stafford at UC and Bobby Kramig at Miami, for being great mentors and helping me get to this point in my career. Lastly, I must thank my wife Emily for her constant patience, guidance and support. I can't wait to get started."
Lie has been in charge of the UC defense under head coach Neil Stafford, a stingy unit that helped the Bearcats finish 11-5-4 in the fall of 2016 with a 0.99 goals against average and nine shutouts. UC has compiled a 42-30-12 record in the four years Lie has been on Stafford's staff.
Last season's success came on the heels of a very successful 2015 campaign. The 2015 Bearcats finished 13-6-5 and captured the American Athletic Conference tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. UC upset top-seeded and 10th-ranked UConn in the semifinals and won the title on penalties following a 1-1 draw against second-seeded and 18th-ranked USF in the final. Following the season, he was selected as UC's Assistant Coach of the Year in a vote by members of the Athletics Department.
The first two seasons Lie spent on the UC campus the progress began to show. After a four-win season in 2012 prior to his arrival, the Bearcats went 8-11-1 in 2013 and 10-8-2 in 2014, setting the stage for the success of the last two seasons.
During his four-year stint at Miami prior to UC, the RedHawks compiled an overall record of 54-26-5, including 25-14-5 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In 2012, Lie helped guide Miami to the MAC regular-season and tournament titles as well a trip to the second round of the NCAA Championship after the RedHawks went 20-3-1 overall and 10-0-1 in MAC play.
As a student-athlete at Miami from 1996-2000, Lie was a two-time Academic All-MAC selection for the men's soccer program, earning First-Team Academic All-MAC honors in 1998, in addition to Academic All-Ohio accolades that same season. In 1997, Lie earned Second-Team All-MAC honors. He graduated from Miami in 2000 with bachelor's degrees in economics and finance, and received a graduate degree in sports management from Miami in 2015.
Nate lives in Pleasant Ridge with his wife Emily, sons Michael (5) and Josh (1), and daughter Grace (3).