Houghton University Athletics

The sport of field hockey took a few years to gain its footing on campus. After three years as a club sport, the program began intercollegiate competition under Dr. George Wells in 1975. Coach provided stability for the young program and produced several successful seasons. When Coach Wells stepped away prior to the 1987 season, the team cycled through five coaches in eight years. But despite the turnover in leadership, Houghton field hockey still produced on the field and captured four-straight NCCAA Tournament Championships.
 
In 1995, a new coach arrived and took the program to another level. Despite finishing just one win above .500 in that first year, Donna Hornibrook soon established Houghton as one of the top small college field hockey programs in the northeast. The team finished 12-2-2 in 1996 and 12-4-1 the following year.
 
We could easily be inducting that 1997 team today, which produced an upset win over Bloomsburg University. But it’s the 1998 team – one that Coach Hornibrook predicted to be a “rebuilding year” – that we are honoring with induction into our 2025 Hall of Honor class.
 
Heading into this quote, un-quote rebuilding season, Hornibrook labeled her young team as talented, fast and well-balanced. Though she lost some key contributors, the team returned Susan Ventresca from injury, the offensive firepower of forwards Judy Johnson, Kristen Dorsey and Laura Chevalier, the leadership of Kristen Embich at midfield, the defensive presence of Linda Peric and the stalwart in goal Liz Sherwood.
 
And Hornibrook and her players point to that 1997 Bloomsburg win as the catalyst for the success of the 1998 team.
 
The team opened with a 4-1 preseason win over defending DIII champion William Smith, and knocked off Ithaca and Juniata to open the regular season. The third game of the year brought in DII Lock Haven, a team that had won three national championships over the previous six seasons and would go on to finish as national runners-up in 1998. The Highlanders got the 4-2 upset win with Judy Johnson tallying three goals.
 
Houghton would win nine-straight games to open the season before losing to eventual DII national champion Bloomsburg, then closed the year with six more wins to finish with a 15-1 overall record.
 
How did a program that did not compete in the NCAA and offered no possibility of postseason play, accolades or championships bring in players who could compete with and beat the best teams in NCAA Division II?
 
Coach Hornibrook said she found players who believed in the mission of Houghton and wanted the academic and spiritual experience it provided. “My assignment as a coach was to make sure the field hockey program reflected this excellence,” says Hornibrook. She brought in players who were ready to put in the work and commitment required to compete successfully with these top programs. “The humility and selflessness of this team was special,” Hornibrook adds. “It’s rare to have a group compete as hard as they did without the intrinsic motivation of competing for a championship.”
 
Team members will point out the fun times, like playing Hanson’s MMM-Bop song on the bus and locker room shenanigans as highlights of the experience, but the team culture, dedication to Christ and commitment to hard work were hallmarks.
 
“Once I met the team and Coach Hornibrook, I was hooked,” says player Laura Chevalier Beer. “I knew it was the place for me. It was exactly the kind of environment I was looking for – excellent field hockey with fellow Christ-followers.”
 
Beer adds: We practiced hard, had fun together, supported each other and loved to compete and win while honoring Jesus. Coach Hornibrook expected so much from us and really drew it out of us. She would not accept anything but our very best every practice and every game.”
 
Dana Basnight Brown remembers a team that was intense and motivated, but very much grounded in an encouraging, family-like atmosphere. The support of older players who came alongside her – literally – when she had to stay for post-practice running drills is something she remembers. “I was so humbled by their sacrifice and leadership… it sums up what the team culture was like.”
 
These experiences were foundational to the successes of the players on the team. They have become missionaries, community and business leaders, doctors, teachers, coaches, wives and mothers. “The grit, endurance, and hard work needed to put into field hockey practices helped me prepare for life after graduation as I pursued professional goals that required a similar level of tenacity and endurance,” says Brown.
 
“It pushed me to my physical and mental limits,” said Thurber. “I could handle a lot more than I realized. It made me realize there were no ceilings… only the barriers in my brain. I learned to never count myself out.”
 
Beer adds: “The biggest lesson I learned was about how God cares about all aspects of our lives and we invite him into it. My experience on the Houghton field hockey team was really the first time I was in an environment where faith and sports came together. Coach Hornibrook made sure that our focus as a team was on God in a way that has helped me to understand and continue to invite God into all the things that I enjoy.”
 
Thank you, ladies for your contributions to Houghton athletics, the field hockey program, for Christ’s kingdom and for pursuing excellence in all you do.
 
Houghton 1998 Field Hockey Roster
 
Sarah Oblender
Liz Sherwood
Judy Johnson
Susan Ventresca
Laurie Van Ormer
Denise Dunkle
Kristen Embich
Kristen Dorsey
Christy Ware
Linda Peric
Laura Chevalier
Heidi Martinez
Dana Basnight
Amy Wilson
Megan Mann
Heidi Sedley
Mechele Souder
Katie Gallup
Carrie Thompson
 
Coaches: Donna Hornibrook and Bill Sortore
 
Managers: Jennifer Gossner and Kristen Cook
 
Trainer: David Marshall