| This year was roller coaster in terms of the performance and results for the team. What are your thoughts on the season and what is your most memorable personal/team moment? |
| JH: We took a long time to find our groove and rhythm, but when we did, damn did we look good. Unfortunately, it was too late. I think the most memorable moment when we played our hearts out to beat NYU, and turned the whole season around from there on out. |
| How would you describe the team’s style of play? What do you like about it? |
| JH: Once we got our act together this season, the passes we were stringing together were amazing. We have a very good possession game. We control the ball with composure and really function as one unit. |
| If you could give any one of your teammates an award what would it be and why? |
| JH: Amanda Rose, for the sweetest black-eye I ’ve ever seen. |
| As a member of on one of the premier soccer team’s in Massachusetts we know you were recruited by many different schools as a senior. How did you decide on Carnegie Mellon? |
| JH: It was a very good mix of high level soccer, a great science program, and a very nice campus. Not many of the other schools had all the things I wanted but Carnegie Mellon did. |
| A lot of our prospective students ask us how hard it is to keep up with the academics during the season. How do you manage the balance b/w academics and athletics? |
| JH: It’s really tough, but do-able, and playing on a team is totally worth it. Soccer is what gets me through the year. For me, being so heavily scheduled in the fall actually helps budget my time better. |
| We know Boston is your hometown and you love it but what do you think of Pittsburgh? How would you describe it to someone who has never been here before? |
| JH: They are nuts about football here, and I love it. To be honest I didn’t know much about Pittsburgh before I came here, but was pleasantly surprised. It’s not a very large city but the little centers such as Oakland, and Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, etc., are very nice, and offer quite a bit to do. The weather is pretty funky but you deal with it. |
| A lot of people stereotype CMU as being a school for Nerds? Are you a nerd? |
| JH: I am definitely a nerd - I love biology! |
| What are you going to do when you graduate? |
| JH: Not sure yet, graduate school of some kind. I am thinking physical therapy or physician’s assistant. Something along those lines – I definitely want to be in the health professions. |
| What is your favorite CMU team to watch besides women ’s soccer and why? |
| JH: Men’s Basketball, number 3 is pretty cute. I have roommates on the Girls basketball and volleyball teams too, and love to watch them. |
| If there was one thing you wish someone had told you about CMU before you got here what would it be and why? |
| JH: There is a lot of work… |
| What piece of advice can you offer to a prospective student-athlete looking at schools right now? |
| JH: Visit everywhere and try to do an overnight. The overnight is really important if you are an athlete. You get such a better perspective of the school, the team, and the coaches that way. Team chemistry on and off the field is so important so you want to have a sense of that before making a decision. |
| The New England Patriots are currently 6-3 overall after dropping there last two games in a row. What will it take for them to make a run at the AFC title and do you think they are good enough to win the Super Bowl this year? |
| JH: Absolutely they can do it. We lost to two of the best teams in the league (The Colts and The Broncos), but the Jets game was just unspeakable. They just have to win from here on out, Belichick is a genius – I’m not worried. |
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| Jess Howard helped the program by making a quick transition to outside midfield and was a mainstay in the first eleven throughout the year. By utilizing her speed and technical ability she continuously represented a threat going forward. As part of a well balanced attack producing an average of 1.52 goals per game (25 Total) Jess notched game winners against Ohio Northern and Washington & Jefferson. In 2007 Jess is expected to take on a leadership role and continue to carry the program forward during her senior campaign. |
