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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Doug Roorbach, Sports Information Director 585.567.9556

Lancaster’s Cleaves Will Play Women’s Soccer at Houghton

Cleaves signs(Houghton, N.Y.)—Stephanie Cleaves, a native of Lancaster, Pa., has signed a letter of intent to play women’s soccer at Houghton College in the fall. Cleaves will transfer to Houghton after playing at NCAA Division II schools Philadelphia University and Millersville University.

            “Pennsylvania has very strong soccer and Stephanie was a member of the state Olympic Development Program,” said David Lewis, Highlanders’ head coach, “She has strong possession skills and I am hoping that she will strengthen our attack. She also has interest and experience with sports ministry. I am looking forward to having her as a part of Houghton soccer. She comes highly recommended by her Club coach.”

            Cleaves played club soccer for FC DELCO Heat Premier, which was a finalist at the 2004 U19 EPYSA Indoor State Cup and the 2003 WAGS Tournament.

            She also enjoyed a four-year varsity career (she missed her senior year due to injury) with Lancaster Catholic High School, scoring 23 goals and dishing out 18 assists.

            Cleaves, who is the daughter of Francisco and Julie Cleaves of Lancaster, plans to major in art at Houghton, with a minor in sports ministry.

            The Houghton women’s team finished the 2007 season with a 13-3-3 record and won the American Mideast Conference, North Division (going 7-0-0 in the division). It was the team’s 14th conference or divisional title in the past 15 years. They advanced to the NAIA Regional Final Four for the 15th consecutive year, and captured the Region IX championship. They advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NAIA national tournament, held in Daytona Beach, Fla. It was the Highlanders’ fifth consecutive national tournament appearance.

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.