Five Highlander Women Honored by AMC
Houghton, N.Y.—The American Mideast Conference has named senior
defender Rebecca Smith (Carlisle, Pa./Bible Baptist), junior striker Hannah
Swift (Perrsyburg, N.Y./Fredonia) and freshmen midfielder Lauren Haggerty
(Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) to the 2007 All-AMC North Division
First Team for women’s soccer. Junior defender Rebecca Dix (LeGrangeville,
N.Y./Houghton Academy) was a Second Team selection and senior goalkeeper
Lauren Foster (Woodhull, N.Y./Jasper-Troupsburg) earned honorable mention.
Senior
defender Rebecca Smith (Carlisle, Pa./Bible Baptist)
AMC North Division
First Team Selection
Co-captain Rebecca Smith
led the team with her consistent play at stopper. “She has done a great job
of adjusting to a new position this year,” commented Houghton’s Head Coach
David Lewis. Lewis was referring to Smith’s transition from three years as
striker to her current role on defense. Smith received the most votes of any
defender in the division. In addition to her defensive abilities, Smith was
involved in the attack, contributing three goals and six assists. Lewis also
noted Smith’s technical skills, stating: “She has the most consistent touch
of anyone who’s ever played here at Houghton.”
Junior
striker Hannah Swift (Perrsyburg, N.Y./Fredonia)
AMC North Division
First Team Selection
Swift was a unanimous selection for First Team as she led the Houghton
offense with 17 goals and six assists during the regular season. “She
effectively moves off the ball as well as anybody I’ve coached,” says Lewis.
Her movement has been crucial to her success up top. This is the second year
in a row that Swift has been named as a First Team selection, after being
Fresh-man Player of the Year in 2005. She was also recognized as both AMC
Conference Player and NAIA National Player of the Week for matches played on
August 27 through September 2. In addition to her First Team selection,
Swift was this year’s AMC Conference Player of the Year.
Freshmen
midfielder Lauren Haggerty (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional)
AMC North Division
First Team Selection
Regarding Haggerty, Lewis noted that although she is a freshman, she “has
played more like a seasoned player.” Haggerty tallied four goals and three
assists this year. Her vision on the field and ability to win head balls has
made her a standout player. She was recognized as AMC Offensive Player of
the Week for matches played on September 17-23.
Junior
defender Rebecca Dix (LeGrangeville, N.Y./Houghton Academy)
AMC North Division
Second Team Selection
Starting at outside back,
Dix did an excellent job of beating her mark to the ball. Her strength and
decision-making helped anchor a solid defense. Lewis says, “She has
developed into a quality defender and is playing with a lot more
confidence.”
Senior
goalkeeper Lauren Foster (Woodhull, N.Y./Jasper-Troupsburg)
AMC North Division
Honorable Mention
Foster joined the Highlanders this year and has been honored for her stellar
performance between the pipes. “I’m glad she decided to play this year. As a
former all-state goalkeeper, I knew she was good,” said Lewis. Foster was
second in the conference with a 0.48 goals against average in 16 games.
The women’s team travels to the NAIA's national tournament in Daytona Beach,
Fla. next week as the 14th seed and will take on 19th-seeded Cornerstone
University (Grand Rapids, Mich.) on Wednesday, November 15 at 4:30pm.
Houghton College
has deep
and
solid
roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our
teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play
and
in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and
unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference
for the Kingdom
on campus, in Allegany County,
in the Northeast and
around
the world.
Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected
by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the door
for Houghton to be a leader,
both in the Northeast and
nationally, in character education.
Through hands-on,
innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and
student-athletes
are working together to change the culture of sport and
to change our culture through sport.
