CALGARY – University of Calgary Dinos women's soccer standout
Lauren Houghton has signed a professional contract to play with club Grindavik in Iceland.
Houghton recently capped her remarkable five-year career as a standout goalkeeper with the Dinos where she started all but one game during her five years on campus, finishing with an impressive 45-11-10 record in net for the Dinos.
"To be honest, it was a little emotional hearing the confirmation," Calgary women's soccer head coach
Troye Flannery said. "It has to be said again – Lauren is an incredible person, truly adored by all and so deserved of this opportunity. Lauren has been among the very best in this country from the first day she stepped foot on campus, and she has been so integral in our program rise. We are all proud and excited."
Houghton got the starting nod in just her second game as a rookie and never looked back. She helped the Dinos to unprecedented heights, including a pair of berths to the U SPORTS Championships where they finished as national runners-up in 2019.
Houghton finished her incredible career in the Scarlett and Gold with 237 total saves in 68 games. In her 6155 minutes in net, she allowed just 37 total goals for a sterling 0.55 goals-against average – racking up an incredible 37 shutouts. Houghton holds the Canada West records for single-season wins (13), shutouts (11), and career goals-against average (0.5143), while ranking in the top-10 in nearly every other category.
"I'm so incredibly grateful for the five years I've spent at the University of Calgary and with the Dinos women's soccer team," Houghton said. "My time here has made me the player and the person I am today. The teammates I've had the pleasure to play with and the coaching staff have all played a role in making this happen.
"I'm very excited for this new chapter of my playing career in Iceland. It will definitely be a learning opportunity and I think I'll enjoy the style of play. I will miss everyone back home, but I cannot wait to start this new chapter."
The 2018 All-Canadian and five-time Canada West honoree will now turn her attention to UMF Grindavik. The team is named after the town in which it competes, located on the southwestern peninsula of Iceland.
Grindavik currently competes in the "Deild" League – the second-tier soccer league in Iceland, where they finished sixth in the table last season.
