Howell plays with a fire that ignites teammates
By PAT LEONARD
Sports Writer
Matt Howell did not plan his career this way two years ago. Still, if it took until his junior season to prove what he could do, then that was what would happen.
Holding the all-time career points record at his high school (232 points in three seasons) and viewed as an impact player from the beginning, Howell brought nothing but another quality option for Notre Dame on offense when he signed his letter of intent.
Howell played in eight games as a freshman on an NCAA national semifinal team and scored one goal in a 16-6 win over Denver.
As a sophomore, he made a promising debut and scored three goals in his first career start in a 10-9 overtime loss to Penn State. An injury then sidelined Howell for almost the entire remainder of the season. He would play in only three games in 2002.
This year, however, the 5'9, 150 pound junior attackman is playing with a fire that has not only raised him to the leading point man (22) on the Irish squad but has ignited a score of Notre Dame players to follow suit.
"Matt helps other people to raise their game," coach Kevin Corrigan said.
Howell has made his presence felt in all of the Irish's games thus far. In particular, the junior scored four goals and had two assists against then-No. 13 North Carolina and three goals and two assists against then-No.23 Penn, both in Notre Dame victories.
In only five games, Howell has tallied six more goals and 10 more assists than he did in his first two seasons with the Irish. With 11 goals, Howell is tied with fellow junior attackman Dan Berger for the team lead. Howell also has 11 assists. The assists category proves the junior's ability to get others involved and his unique value to the squad.
"He's not a guy that relies so much on great physical ability," Corrigan said. "He does have good skills, but more than anything else he has a great sense of the game. He makes the play that has to be made. When a guy like him is out of the lineup, you miss what he contributes because [his style of play] is an infectious thing."
Howell has set the standard, and teammates, veteran and rookie, are stepping right up to join him. Freshman Patrick Walsh is the most noticeable, a quick attackman with seven goals and seven assists and a tremendous impact player on a potent offense. Freshman Matt Karweck has scored six goals and notched one assist, and juniors Berger and Owen Mulford are key options, as well. Berger has the ability to dominate up front and has eleven goals. Mulford has contributed five goals and one assist.
The unselfish Irish attackmen and midfielders are feeding off of Howell's inspirational and intelligent play in the early stages of the 2003 season.
"He makes people around him better players," Corrigan said. "Missing a guy like him is like missing a guy and a half. I couldn't be happier that he's back, and I'm looking forward to having him with us this year."
All Sports Stories for Thursday, March 20, 2003
