FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Claire Norfleet, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Apr. 14, 2014 - With a program in the midst of just its sixth year as a varsity sport at North Central College, senior Rachael Houp and the women's lacrosse team hope to continue their success through the remainder of the 2014 season.
           
Houp originally came to North Central to play soccer but was recruited by head coach Jenni Kapanen, who was also the soccer coach at the time, along with a few fellow teammates to try lacrosse. The fall term of her freshman year was the first time Houp had ever picked up a lacrosse stick.
           
"I decided to try it out and I absolutely loved it," said Houp.
           
The midfielder out of Inverness, Ill. is currently second on the team in goals scored (21), ground balls (19) and draw controls (24). Primarily a defender last season, Houp was voted to the All-Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference (MWLC) First Team.
           
"To receive all conference honors last year was completely unexpected and an honor. I know I would never have progressed in my game like I did without the great teammates that I had around me," says Houp. "But to be recognized for all my hard work felt very rewarding."
           
As a multi-sport athlete at the collegiate level, the opportunities and time to be a part of other activities on campus can become very limited. The senior, however, has been a Student-Athlete Mentor (SAM) for the past two years, which allowed her to help first-year students adjust to the college life at North Central. She has also become very involved with campus ministry and services, attended FOCUS meetings and traveled to Haiti over the past December term.
           
"(Traveling to Haiti) was truly one of the most eye-opening and amazing experiences that I have had in my four years at North Central," said Houp.
           
An exercise science major, Houp plans to attend nursing school at Rush University Hospital in Chicago after graduation. She always knew she wanted to pursue a future in the medical field.
           
"I really enjoy the direct application that my major's classes can have to my daily life. I love learning about fitness because it's knowledge that I will no doubt use the rest of my life no matter where my career path takes me," said Houp.
           
Currently tied for first the MWLC standings, the Cardinals have six games remaining in the regular season, and with an upcoming matchup on Apr. 22 at rival and defending MWLC champion Augustana College, one of Houp's favorite memories, last year's MWLC Tournament championship game, comes to mind.
           
"Although we lost, it was such an incredible experience and environment coming back from a relatively large deficit and tying the game," said Houp.