Welcome back to Houston Sports 101! Today we’re talking about the most popular sport in the world: football. (Here in the U.S., they call it soccer, but for me it will always be football.) I’ve been playing the game practically since I could walk. Some of my earliest memories are of going with my dad to watch my hometown team, Chivas, in Guadalajara. That passion has stuck with me ever since.
Football is everywhere. To put things in perspective: the 2024 Super Bowl had about 115 million viewers, but the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final was watched by over 1.5 billion people worldwide. So if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve seen a match before.
At Rice, we’ve got both women’s varsity soccer and a men’s club team, so there are plenty of chances to enjoy the game on campus.
Rice Women’s Soccer
The Rice Owls women’s soccer team plays in NCAA Division I as part of the American Conference. Their home field is Holloway Field, right on the southwest corner of campus near the Texas Medical Center. The games are free for students with a Rice ID, and the stands are usually filled with a mix of classmates, alumni, and families.
You shouldn’t expect a massive stadium crowd like you’d see in professional sports, but that’s part of the charm. The atmosphere is laid-back, you’re close to the field, and it’s easy to follow the action.
Fun fact: Rice won the Conference USA Championship in 2020, earning a spot in the NCAA tournament. Holloway Field has also hosted NCAA tournament games in recent years.
Rice Men’s Soccer (Club Team)
Rice doesn’t have an NCAA men’s soccer program, but the men’s club team is very active and competitive. They play against other universities in the region, and their matches are also at Holloway Field. Club games tend to be more casual: friends supporting friends, students hanging out, but they still bring that same love for football.
My First Rice Game
The first time I went to a Rice soccer match, it felt both familiar and new. Familiar because the sound of the ball, the cheers after a goal, and the rhythm of the game reminded me of why I love football. New because it was my first time seeing it in a college setting in the U.S., with a smaller crowd, but still plenty of excitement when Rice scored. It was the perfect way to remember those good old days, enjoying soccer with my dad.
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Games
Rice Women’s Soccer – 2025 Season (Holloway Field home games in bold):
- Aug. 14 vs Houston Christian (Exhibition)
- Aug. 17 @ UTRGV (Exhibition)
- Aug. 21 vs Incarnate Word
- Aug. 24 @ North Carolina
- Aug. 28 vs Oklahoma State
- Aug. 31 @ Louisiana
- Sep. 7 @ Lamar
- Sep. 11 @ UAB
- Sep. 18 vs Florida Atlantic
- Sep. 21 vs Grambling State
- Sep. 25 @ Temple
- Sep. 28 vs Memphis
- Oct. 2 vs UTSA
- Oct. 9 @ Charlotte
- Oct. 12 vs South Florida
- Oct. 19 @ North Texas
- Oct. 23 vs East Carolina (Senior Day)
- Oct. 30 @ Tulsa
Full schedule: https://riceowls.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule
Conclusion
Soccer at Rice isn’t going to feel like a World Cup final, but that’s okay. It’s local, easy to attend, and a fun way to see the game you love without leaving campus. Whether you’re watching the women’s varsity team compete in the American or supporting the men’s club team, it’s another way to connect with the Rice community.
So grab a couple of friends, head to Holloway Field, and enjoy the world’s game, Rice-style.
About the Author
Maximiliano Triana Camacho is a third-year Ph.D. student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University. Originally from Mexico, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Business Administration. Beyond the lab, he enjoys exploring Houston’s sports scene and sharing his experiences as a Rice Graduate Ambassador.
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