After reaching the conference tournament each of the last three years, Head Coach Hannah Ogden and the Houghton field hockey team are ready for a new chapter in the program's history.  The Highlanders graduated a core that started a total of 371 games and accumulated 378 points, established multiple offensive team and individual records, and won 39 games over the past four seasons.
 
Coach Ogden shared her thoughts on her team as they enter a new era.
 
Provide a quick recap of last season.
Last year was the final season of a senior class who contributed significantly to the competitive growth of the program over the last four years. Although our playoff appearance didn't go our way, I love to reflect on how Houghton competed so tightly and consistently with powerhouses like SUNY Geneseo, Hartwick, etc. 
 
What team goals have you put in place for the coming season?
We are rediscovering what it means for our team to compete this year.  The word "compete" comes from the Latin word competere, which means "to strive together." To us, the commitment to striving each day is the goal. To never arrive but to be in constant pursuit of more learning, more growing, more evolvements as a squad. 
 
What are the keys to meeting those goals?
Positive group think, accountability to the process equally shared. 
 
What are your team's greatest strengths?
This group is hungry to figure things out. It takes time, but they have great mental stamina. 
 
What personnel losses from last season will be hardest to replace?
We graduated six starters, including the record-setting offensive producers Jace Hunzinger, Rebekah Davie, and Deborah Cross. 
 
Who are the key returners and what do they provide the team?
I've been thrilled to see the upperclassmen return poised and prepared to lead, teach, and continue to drive positive and competitive team culture moving forward. 
 
Who are some of the newcomers who could contribute and what do they add to your team?
Courtney Walbridge has already shown that she will play a key role in our attack. She's a quick learner and already contributing to the dynamic play of a new offense. 
 
What are some of the pivotal games on the schedule?
Over half our schedule is conference competition. We are committed to never being at a standstill this season from a competitive standpoint. We want to process feedback, integrate changes, and continue to raise the bar on how we compete in each one of these games.
 
There's plenty to learn in a short amount of time, but I think there will be a different team competing come October than in early September if we hold fast to our process.