A key factor to the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Women’s Soccer team success has been redshirt sophomore midfielder Mira Houck.
As a transfer from Metro State University- Denver (MSUD), Houck wasn’t sure she would even be playing this season due to certain transfer regulations. After sitting out last semester, her appeal to the RMAC was successful.
“ I was at Metro […] and it wasn’t turning out to be the right fit, and so I was thinking about transferring and luckily Mesa was already my second school when I was looking at colleges before I even graduated high school,” Houck said.
The process of transferring itself can be both insanely stressful and relieving is something one can imagine. In Houck’s case. The reward and relief she has experienced is tremendous.
“It was very emotionally taxing deciding whether or not I was going to transfer, but I’m really really happy with this decision that I made,” Houck said.
Sitting out for a semester upon transferring, helped Houck adjust to some of the differences in the program. She was able to focus on practicing last spring, a reality she expressed on a positive note.
“I’m almost kind of glad I wasn’t able to play last semester because it put me in a position where I had to, I couldn’t do any playing so I just had to work the whole spring so I was really grateful for that,” Houck said.
Something else that makes playing for CMU special for Houck, is the fact that she gets to play for head coach Megan Remec. Houck has played for Remec throughout her soccer career, including club and briefly at MSUD. When Houck discovered that Remec would be coming in to coach for the Mavericks, it added more stability and confidence in her decision to transfer.
“She’s the best coach I’ve ever had, and I am really lucky to not only have her as a coach, but as a mentor as well. I think I’ve grown a lot as a person,” Houck said.
The chemistry of the team has helped Houck thrive.
As a holding midfielder, she has played the majority of every game this season helping the Mavericks to an 11-2 record so far and 8-1 in the division. So far this season she has two goals including scoring the lone goal in the game against MSUD.
“She’s a community person. She wants to be around people who want the same things, who support each other and who are connected to each other. So I think she’s kind of brought that to the group and also flourished because that was already here,” Remec said.
Stemming throughout her career, Houck has managed to stay very positive and lead in a mature manner. News of her being able to play this season was uplifting, and those traits have shown this season as they have in the past under coach Remec.
“I think I’ve known Mira since she was 13 years old, […] always been incredibly mature. Always been a leader and for positively encouraging teammates.” Remec said.
She cares about the people she’s around. She wants to lift them up. She’s a very positive person and I think that’s the most important thing in life. Looking at the soccer field, the biggest thing is she’s a winner. She will find ways to win no matter what the circumstances are. We are super fortunate to have her on the field. She is kind of a game changing player. She’s getting to play this season and she’s a big part of the team’s success,” Remec said.
What has also made her transition smooth is the support from the fans and other sports teams at CMU alike. Her transfer has many differences to the table, but in a positive way.
“I definitely think the team chemistry is a lot better here. I remember that the first thing I noticed was like wow these girls are so welcoming and so nice and it was very nice to experience that. I also think that sports here are a lot more well supported,” Houck siad.
What’s left after Houck’s transfer for CMU is an optimistic future with plenty of room to grow. The dynamic of the team is one that encourages and challenges each other and that has led to its success.
“She is one of the individuals who wants to be coached and she wants to learn, […] she is very receptive to it. […] we have probably a similar feel of what we are looking for and so I think we’re on the same page overall,” Remec said.
Those expectations and relationship with the coaches and players have also made her feel very comfortable and confident on the field. It keeps her working and looking to improve while feeling like she’s in a good solid place coming in.
“I definitely think here the girls have really challenged me in a really positive way to work on some things, especially over the summer that I’ve been trying to work on. It feels like there’s room for growth here, and they don’t, the girls and the coaches, don’t really necessarily punish you for making mistakes, which I have not always felt,” Houck said.
