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to Life,  Barbara
Pinto ’86, ABC News

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A New Dynasty?

It’s starting to feel like a dynasty. The women’s soccer team advanced to their 12^th-straight NAIA Region IX Final Four, captured their fourth region title, and made their sixth appearance at the NAIA National Tournament, finishing the season with a record of 19-1-0.

Though the season ended with a 3-0 loss to high-scoring Lee University at nationals, the Highlanders’ had another season worthy of the record books. They set school records for consecutive shutout victories (16), most consecutive victories (19), and fewest shots allowed in a season (62). They ranked No. 9 in the final NAIA poll. Statistically, they were tops in the nation in team defense, with just seven goals allowed in 20 games and finished seventh in team offense, with 84 goals.

Bethany Kowalczyk ’08 led the team with 29 goals and was named NAIA First-Team All-America, conference and region player of the year, and conference freshman of the year. She was also featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd.” Teammate Dana Benedict ’05 was an NAIA Second-Team All-America pick, and four other teammates were on the all-conference team. Coach David Lewis was conference and region coach of the year, and won his fifth NSCAA Adidas NAIA Northeast Region Coach of the Year Award.

On top of being talented athletes, these women were excellent representatives of Houghton College. The team won the AMC North Fair Play Team Award and an NSCAA Team Ethics Award for displaying sportsmanship on the field. They were also honored for their work in the classroom, with four players named NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes* and the team earning their eighth-straight NSCAA Team Academic Award.

*Note: NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes are juniors and seniors who have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.

Editor's note: This article was written after the 2004 season. In 2005, the women did it again, advancing to the quarterfinals of the NAIA national tournament before suffering a loss, and finishing the year with a 20-1-1 record. The team is ranked #6 in the nation to begin the 2006 season.