Rich Reice, a standout player for the Neshaminy boys' soccer team in the early 1970s who returned to the school to coach, has decided to step down after 17 seasons as the Redskins' head man.
Reice, 55, was also the head girls' coach for 11 seasons until the Suburban One League moved its girls' soccer season to the fall, just like the boys'.
"It was a combination of factors," Reice said of his decision to step down. "I was 38 when I became head coach, and I felt it was time for somebody new."
The Redskins were 9-4-1 and finished second in the Suburban One League National Division this past fall. They were 11-6-1 overall. The past two seasons, Reice had the pleasure of coaching his son Bryan, a senior who also has served as a punter for the Redskins' football team.
During his playing days, Reice helped lead the Redskins to a 48-8-1 record from 1971-73. They were unbeaten in Lower Bucks County League play during that period. The Redskins won the District 1 crown in 1972. Reice was voted to the all-league first team in both 1972 and 1973.
Reice was an all-American at Penn State in 1976 and 1977. He was a first-round pick of the Philadelphia Atoms of the North American Soccer League in 1978. Professionally, he also played for the Pennsylvania Stoners and Carolina Lightning of the American Soccer League. He played with the Wichita Wings of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
As boys' coach at Neshaminy, Reice posted a record of 254-97-31. His teams won three SOL titles and three District 1 championships and were PIAA semifinalists five times. He had three high school all-Americans.
Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.
