Assistant coach Rayell Heistand wrapped up her fifth year at Miami in 2019 after earning her Master’s in sport leadership from Miami in May 2019.
With her help, the RedHawks have captured the MAC regular season championship and the MAC Tournament championship each of the past three seasons and have totaled 10 championships during his tenure. Miami won its first NCAA Tournament game in program history in 2017 and earned its first NCAA Tournament shutout in program history in 2018.
In 2019, Miami finished with a 13-8 overall record and a 5-1 record in MAC games, going on to win the regular season and MAC Tournament championships. The RedHawks made their third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Following the season, two players garnered All-American recognition, two were named All-Region, three were tabbed All-MAC and 14 earned all-academic honors.
In 2018, Miami had a record-breaking year. The RedHawks were ranked in the top-25 teams nationally by the NFHCA coaches’ poll for the first time in program history. Miami also earned the most wins (16) in a single season since the start of the NCAA era in 1981. The ‘Hawks went undefeated in conference play for the second-straight season and second time in program history. Miami broke the program record for shutting out its opponents, keeping them scoreless over 350 minutes straight.
"Rayell is an excellent fit for the Miami field hockey program," said Puzo. "We want to be surrounded by competitive people who have proved that hard work can get you to many places. Rayell is a perfect example of this concept. Her hard work took her to a successful NCAA field hockey Division I program; from there, she strengthened her work ethic and then kept working until she earned a spot on the USA Women's National Team."
From 2011-2013, Heistand was a member of the USA Women's National Field Hockey Team Development squad. In 2013, she earned a spot on the USA Women's National Field Hockey Team.
"Miami is the whole package," said Heistand. "Not only do you get to be part of a rich athletic tradition, but you also get a great education. I am looking forward to helping develop our student-athletes into great players and even better people."
Prior to her stint with the USWNT, Heistand was a four-year letterwinner at Connecticut (2008-2011), earning Second Team All-American honors on two occasions. In addition, she is a three-time All-Big East First Team selection, and a three-time member of the Big East All-Tournament Team and Mideast All-Region Team. During her stint at Connecticut, she spent time on the USA U-21 Women's National Field Hockey team, participating in the 2009 Junior World Cup.
Heistand began her coaching career at the collegiate level in 2012, serving as an assistant coach at Lafayette College. She also had a brief stint as the coach of the Slough Field Hockey Club in England in 2013. Most recently, she served as a field hockey instructor at Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim, Pennsylvania, working with athletes of all ages. She has also worked with USA Field Hockey as an assistant coach with the Futures Elite, USA Field Hockey's Olympic development program.
"Playing at Connecticut and having coached quite a bit throughout the past several years, I believe that I'm a good fit here at Miami," added Heistand. "That said, I'm excited to learn more and continue to make strides in becoming the best coach I can be for our student-athletes."
