HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Houghton women's soccer Head Coach Nikki Elsaesser has announced that she is resigning from her position at the end of the academic year in order to pursue other opportunities and to relocate to Pennsylvania.
 
Elsaesser came to Houghton as the program's fifth coach in May of 2019 and coached the Highlanders for three seasons. Her tenure was highlighted by an appearance in the spring 2021 Empire 8 Tournament.
 
"I want to say thank you to Dr. Webb and the administration for giving me the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program here at Houghton. It is such a gift to have a job you enjoy so much that it hardly feels like work. In these three years, I have come to love this place dearly. I have been surrounded by great administration, colleagues and students who have without a doubt made me better, challenged me and shown me the gifts of close-knit community," said Elsaesser. "Although I am very excited about my reason for leaving, as I will be getting married and moving to Pennsylvania to begin my new adventure with my soon to be husband, I am in the same breath sad to leave a place that is so special to my heart. I am excited for the program to continue growing under new leadership and to see the players flourish as the years go on. This program existed long before me and will continue to develop young women into Christ-centered leaders long after I am gone. The future for this program is bright."
 
Elsaesser's departure has an impact on the program, the department and the Houghton community, said Houghton Director of Athletics Matthew Webb. "Nikki was an answer to prayer for our women's soccer program. Following Coach David Lewis' long tenure at Houghton was a tall task, and Nikki immediately embraced the foundation that the program has been built on and added to the culture with her own unique passion, personality, and competitiveness," said Webb. "I am 100 percent confident that the trajectory of Houghton women' soccer is moving in the right direction, largely in part to the leadership Nikki has brought to the program."
 
In addition to her coaching duties, Elsaesser has also been active in the spiritual life of the department, leading book discussions for the coaches and providing direction to the department's emphasis on sports ministry.
 
The search for Houghton's sixth head coach will begin immediately.