Oberlin, Ohio - Oberlin College Associate Vice President for Athletics Advancement and Delta Lodge Director of Athletics & Physical Education Natalie Winkelfoos announced the appointment of Taylor Houck as head women's soccer coach. 

No stranger to Oberlin, Houck was an assistant coach with the program for two seasons (2014-15), helping guide the Yeowomen to their first winning season in 25 years in 2014 (10-8-0) while tying a program record for wins and shutouts. 

"Taylor returns to Oberlin with an appreciation for the institutional mission and an understanding of the role athletics plays within a high academic environment," Winkelfoos said. "Her playing and coaching background provides our student-athletes and department an essential spark of energy and experience."   

After her departure from Oberlin, Houck became the head coach at Caltech (2016-19) where she built the program from the ground up, leading the team to its first win in just their eighth game while growing the roster size throughout her tenure. Houck recruited and coached the first player in Caltech history to earn All-SCIAC honors.

Mostly recently serving as head coach at Knox College for three years and two full seasons of competition, Houck led the Prairie Fire to tremendous success with a 25-12-5 record, which included two Midwest Conference championships and 15-1-0 mark in the league. 

In 2021, Houck coached the MVC Offensive Player of the Year and the nation's leader in game-winning goals. She mentored a plethora of all-conference and all-region players in her two full seasons, including seven first-team All-MVC honorees. Throughout her time at Knox, her tireless recruiting efforts were on display as she increased the roster size by eight players from 2019 to 2021.

"I would like to thank Natalie Winkelfoos, President Ambar and the Oberlin community for this amazing opportunity to return to a place that feels like home," Houck said. "Oberlin women's soccer is, and has always been, special. I cannot wait to start building those relationships and continue to push the program forward. Finally, I'd like to thank the players and community at Knox College, for I am better because of you."

A former standout player at Villanova University, Houck earned All-BIG EAST honors in 2012 and 2013. She was a four-year starter, two-time team MVP, and two-year captain while earning BIG EAST All-Academic honors in each of her four years in Philadelphia. 

Upon graduation, Houck played professional soccer in Finland for Pallokissat for one season and holds a USSF "E" National License, and an NSCAA Goalkeeper Levels 1, 2, and 3 diploma.
 
She earned a bachelor's of arts degree in Sociology at Villanova in 2013, and in 2019 a master's of education in Positive Coaching & Athletic Leadership from the University of Missouri. 

Her first official day at Oberlin is April 1.