Former Spider stand-out Brooke Sands enters her third season as an assistant coach with the University of Richmond women's soccer team.

In two seasons, Sands has helped lead the Spiders to a 21-17-3 overall record and a 14-7-1 mark in the Atlantic 10 conference. In 2005, she will continue to work primarily with the attacking players, while also assisting in all other aspects of the game.

Sands came to Richmond from the University of Virginia, where she worked as the women's soccer Volunteer Assistant coach in 2002. During that season, the Cavaliers posted a 13-7-2 record and appeared in the third round of the NCAA College Cup. Sands was also a head coach for the S.O.C.A. (Soccer Organization of Charlottesville-Albemarle) youth soccer club.

During her career at Richmond, Sands was a four-year letterwinner for the Spiders. The All-American third team honoree is the program's all-time leader in goals (51), points (124), game-winning goals (14) and shots (343), and ranks second in assists (22). While at Richmond, Sands was also an Academic All-American first team honoree, a three-time All-Conference first team player, a two-time All-State first team selection and CAA Rookie of the Year in 1997.

Sands played her high school soccer at Episcopal School of Dallas in Dallas, Texas. She still holds the goal scoring record, tallying 108 goals in 101 games. In addition, Sands played with the '79 D'Feeters and led her team to 1996 State and Regional championships, as well as a fourth place finish at the 1996 Nationals.

Sands graduated from the University of Richmond in 2001 with a B.A. in Psychology. She also received her Masters degree in 2003 from the University of Virginia in Sport and Exercise Psychology. She holds an NSCAA National Diploma coaching license.

She lives in Richmond with her fiancé, Jim Roney. A wedding is planned for May 27, 2006 in Dallas, Texas.