FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 15, 2004
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Women’s Soccer NAIA Region IX Champs

November 6

NAIA Region IX Championship

Houghton def. Mt. Vernon Nazarene, 5-1

HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The NAIA No. 9 Highlanders (19-0-0) advanced to their sixth NAIA National Tournament by defeating Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, 5-1, in the championship game of the Region IX Tournament on Saturday.

Senior Rachael Sharp scored two first-half goals and sophomore Krista Fowlkes added another as the region No. 1 seed Highlanders jumped out to a 3-1 halftime lead. Cougar forward Kristy Brandolini scored in the 17^th minute to end the Highlanders’ shutout streak at 16 games (1,503 minutes). Ironically, Mt. Vernon Nazarene (17-4-0), seeded No. 2 in the region and ranked No. 23 in the nation, was the last team to score on Houghton, in the second game of the season.

The Highlanders added two more goals in the final four minutes to put the game away. Freshman Bethany Kowalczyk tallied her team-leading 29^th in the 87^th minute and junior  Jessica Stack closed the scoring with 1:06 left in the game. Senior Casandra Mills picked up her 50^th career assist on Kowalczyk’s goal. The Fillmore, N.Y. native now has 51 goals and 50 assists in her career

Meg Radimer made three saves in goal for Houghton. Krysti Wilson made three saves for the Cougars.

Houghton outshot Mt. Vernon Nazarene, 12-5.

Houghton, which earned its fourth region title, set a school record with 19 consecutive wins and tied a school record for wins in a season.

The 20-team NAIA National Tournament will be held in Santa Barbara, Calif., November 17-23.