Just 13 days into his tenure as head coach, Josh Rife has made his first coaching decision for Indiana women’s soccer. Rife brought on assistant coach Peyton York, according to an Indiana Athletics press release Tuesday.
A familiar face for Rife, York joins the Hoosiers after serving as the goalkeepers coach under Rife at Ball State University for two years.
During her time with the Cardinals, she played a pivotal role in developing a high-performing goalkeeping unit, helping the team achieve an impressive 80% save rate. In 2023, York helped guide Ball State goalkeeper Bethany Moser to a program-record 113 saves, with Moser earning Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors twice.
“I am extremely excited to continue this journey with Coach Rife at Indiana University,” York said in the release. “Josh has always been an incredible mentor to me from my collegiate playing days to now as colleagues on the field. I am honored to be trusted with this opportunity. I am pumped to get started and help move this program forward."
In a standout career at Prosper High School, York recorded 54 shutouts as a goalkeeper in just three seasons. She recorded 22 saved in her sophomore season, earning her Co-Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2015-16. Her career took her to Mississippi State University where in 2018 she suffered a season-ending injury leading her to transition to a new journey taking a position as student assistant coach.
"I am so excited to have Peyton York join us here at Indiana University," Rife said in the release. "In just a short time working with her, she was able to elevate all areas of our program, from on the field training, community engagement, recruiting visits, and camps to name a few. Her infectious enthusiasm and ability to connect with the players only adds to her value within our staff.”
In addition to her coaching duties, York is continuing to pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Ball State.
“She is a great young coach who has a bright future ahead of her,” Rife said.
