Nicole Howard took a slight detour before she made her way to the LSU soccer program.
Two years ago, Howard was the top ranked junior college player in the country and spent two years at Lewis and Clark Community College before transferring to LSU.
During her time at Lewis and Clark, Howard was named the National Junior College Player of the Year in 2015 by the National Soccer Coaches Association. She led the nation with 40 goals and 100 points.
Howard also earned First-Team Junior College All-American honors in 2014 and 2015.
Howard, who transferred to LSU in 2015, is making plays all over the field on both sides of the ball.
This year is a completely different experience from last year with the Tigers starting off 5-0 for the first time in over a decade.
The team had three losses going into last September, proving the significant changes made during the offseason.
Through five games this season, Howard has recorded two goals and two assists. In the team’s win against Austin Peay, Howard knocked in the game winner to remain undefeated.
“Right before I came on, Brian told me ‘Go get that game winner,’” she said. “I guess that hearing him say that is just a boost of confidence like, ‘I need to go get that game winner.’”
Last season, Howard recorded just one goal and two assists in 19 games that she played in.
“I know that every time when I stick in,” Howard said, “I have to really commit myself to it. That way, if I do win the ball, I can go forward with it, so I can play both roles in one.”
Howard is constantly setting up passes and breaking up opponent offensive attacks and controlling the tempo.
“She’s really settled in nicely to tackle midfield for us,” coach Brian Lee said. “It’s really two directions, the subtle part about her is how many tackles and interceptions she has — she really leads the teams in tackles and interceptions — but you don’t see it because she’s so quick and she’s so natural to the ball. She comes at them in a number of different directions.”
LSU will face its first nationally ranked opponent, the University of Central Florida, on Friday in Orlando, Florida.
“It will be a really good test for us to see where we’re at and it will get us ready for SEC play,” Howard said on facing UCF. “I’m excited to see how we do.”
Nicole Howard emerging as leader for LSU soccer
September 6, 2017
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