Houchen has played for both the Canadian National Team, Oakville Storm, and the Oakville Panthers. Her remarkable record as a player includes three Canadian National Women’s Championships (and one runner-up), five Ontario Women’s Championships, three Ontario Most Valuable Player awards, and two Most Valuable Player awards for the Canadian National Women’s Tour Team.
In 2002, Houchen began to straddle the divide between player and coach. She assumed both roles for of a very few women who have earned an illustrious “B” license designation from the Canadian Soccer Association. In one of her first coaching assignments, her U-18 team captured a silver medal in the 2002 Canadian championships.
That year, she was also named coach of the year by the Ontario Youth Soccer League. Further, in 2004, Houchen was named Assistant Coach of the Ontario Provincial Team’s Soccer Program. Her team won the gold medal for Ontario at the National All- Star Championship. With Houchen’s mentored fellow coaches, scouted new talent, and trained the top athletes in Oakville.
