To kick off the college season, we spoke with University of Miami senior forward, Kate Howarth. Last season Howarth helped Miami to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament, scoring 11 goals and adding 7 assists, while being named 2nd Team All-ACC. Not one to rest on her laurels, this summer Howarth traded the beaches of Miami for the trees of Western Mass, as she played for the New England Mutiny of WPSL Elite. She led the Mutiny with 10 goals and hopes to continue her scoring ways this weekend as Miami opens the 2012 season with matches against Florida and South Florida.
Soccer Banter: First, for those that haven't seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
Kate Howarth: I play hard and I play physical from the moment the first whistle blows. I love taking people on and given a split second pressure free I will rip a shot. I love high pressuring teams into mistakes and I will slide tackle anyone, anywhere on the field. Nothing can get in my way and all I see is the back of the net. Given one word—focused.
SB: You spent the summer playing for the New England Mutiny in the WPSL Elite - What were your thoughts on the level of play and how did it help in your own development as a player?
KH: The WPSL Elite was full of great players and teams with loads of talent. It was definitely a different pace of play than I’m used to in the ACC. It was a little slower and presented more individual opportunities to perform on the field than college does. I think the league gave me a chance to play against players that have national team experience and professional experience.
Soccer Banter: First, for those that haven't seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
Kate Howarth: I play hard and I play physical from the moment the first whistle blows. I love taking people on and given a split second pressure free I will rip a shot. I love high pressuring teams into mistakes and I will slide tackle anyone, anywhere on the field. Nothing can get in my way and all I see is the back of the net. Given one word—focused.
SB: You spent the summer playing for the New England Mutiny in the WPSL Elite - What were your thoughts on the level of play and how did it help in your own development as a player?
KH: The WPSL Elite was full of great players and teams with loads of talent. It was definitely a different pace of play than I’m used to in the ACC. It was a little slower and presented more individual opportunities to perform on the field than college does. I think the league gave me a chance to play against players that have national team experience and professional experience.
SB: After last season, the expectations for Miami are much higher this season than in the past, what are your own thoughts on the team and the upcoming season?
KH: The expectations for the season are definitely higher than last season. I think last season opened our eyes to what we are capable of as a team. No one thought we would win any big games last year and we did. We were definitely the underdog before. We went into games knowing we had nothing to lose and played our hearts out. This year we are going to expect more from each other and hold each other to a higher standard. We are no longer the underdog, we have proven ourselves and gained some respect. We may not have a target on our back, but we are definitely not an ‘easy win’ on people’s schedules anymore. We have young talented players who will only get better with every game they play in and I think our team has potential to do some pretty special things as long as we all are on the same page with the same mentality - absolute belief.
SB: Many consider the ACC the best women's league in Division 1 - what makes the ACC so competitive?
KH: The ACC is an extremely tough conference. Nine ACC teams went to the NCAA tournament last year. Every conference game is a great opportunity to beat a quality team and every match is a battle. Every weekend you play a top ten team. The level of play is just extremely high and the quality of play is great. I think the ACC is full of great players and even better coaches who set really high goals and standards and who demand more for each other (both players and coaches). The coaches find ways to get every bit of potential out of each player and the players love to play the game. Lots of passion, ability, talent, and potential in one conference makes for great competition.
KH: The expectations for the season are definitely higher than last season. I think last season opened our eyes to what we are capable of as a team. No one thought we would win any big games last year and we did. We were definitely the underdog before. We went into games knowing we had nothing to lose and played our hearts out. This year we are going to expect more from each other and hold each other to a higher standard. We are no longer the underdog, we have proven ourselves and gained some respect. We may not have a target on our back, but we are definitely not an ‘easy win’ on people’s schedules anymore. We have young talented players who will only get better with every game they play in and I think our team has potential to do some pretty special things as long as we all are on the same page with the same mentality - absolute belief.
SB: Many consider the ACC the best women's league in Division 1 - what makes the ACC so competitive?
KH: The ACC is an extremely tough conference. Nine ACC teams went to the NCAA tournament last year. Every conference game is a great opportunity to beat a quality team and every match is a battle. Every weekend you play a top ten team. The level of play is just extremely high and the quality of play is great. I think the ACC is full of great players and even better coaches who set really high goals and standards and who demand more for each other (both players and coaches). The coaches find ways to get every bit of potential out of each player and the players love to play the game. Lots of passion, ability, talent, and potential in one conference makes for great competition.
SB: In one of the odder occurrences in college soccer, 2nd year Head Coach, Tom Anagnost, also coached you in High School. Describe your experience with Coach Anagnost from High School to college?
KH: Yes, really crazy where people end up. Tom has not changed one bit since I knew him as my coach in high school. I think he has gotten better as a coach and I’m sure that is through his experiences up until this point. He finds ways to make players better—that has been at any level, high school or college. I think at any level the fundamentals of the game have to be mastered before you can get to the next level. Tom sets really high standards and expects a lot from the team, that is a huge part of what makes him a great coach. He doesn’t accept anything but your best and he tells you exactly what he thinks. He is a great leader and takes things one practice at a time.
SB: Not many field players wear #1, any significance behind that choice for you?
KH: Haha, well my assistant coach called me and told me that my number was taken and he challenged me to wear the number one and be the team’s leading scorer. I couldn’t resist that, I am always up for a challenge.
SB: You have a few more months of college soccer to enjoy, but what are your thoughts on soccer after college?
KH: Right now I am only focused on the season. I have one last rodeo. I am ready to make the best of it and do the best I can to help our team be successful. I will worry about after when it gets here, it will come soon enough. I definitely want to play after college. Hopefully they will have some sort of league figured out by then. If not then there are opportunities to go overseas and play professionally there.
KH: Yes, really crazy where people end up. Tom has not changed one bit since I knew him as my coach in high school. I think he has gotten better as a coach and I’m sure that is through his experiences up until this point. He finds ways to make players better—that has been at any level, high school or college. I think at any level the fundamentals of the game have to be mastered before you can get to the next level. Tom sets really high standards and expects a lot from the team, that is a huge part of what makes him a great coach. He doesn’t accept anything but your best and he tells you exactly what he thinks. He is a great leader and takes things one practice at a time.
SB: Not many field players wear #1, any significance behind that choice for you?
KH: Haha, well my assistant coach called me and told me that my number was taken and he challenged me to wear the number one and be the team’s leading scorer. I couldn’t resist that, I am always up for a challenge.
SB: You have a few more months of college soccer to enjoy, but what are your thoughts on soccer after college?
KH: Right now I am only focused on the season. I have one last rodeo. I am ready to make the best of it and do the best I can to help our team be successful. I will worry about after when it gets here, it will come soon enough. I definitely want to play after college. Hopefully they will have some sort of league figured out by then. If not then there are opportunities to go overseas and play professionally there.
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