Howley made a switch to mid field before her junior year

By Anthony Lawrence Caruso, III
The Sports Capital Staff Writer

Jenn Howley switched her positions the past two seasons. Her coach moved her to the mid field position after playing the forward position her first two-years at Sacred Heart. She had her best season, as a forward, when she was a freshman and lead the team in scoring that year.

Howley started her field hockey career at North Salem High School, in North Salem, New York. She was the captain of her field hockey team her junior and senior years, while being named a National All-American. She was a two-time Regional All-American, as being named to the All-State, All-League and All-Section teams.

Her field hockey team won three League Championships. They were Sectional and Regional Championships, in 2003. She was named to the NYSHSSAA tournament team and was the recipient of the Con Edison Award and captain of the Empire State Games, where her team medaled. In field hockey, her high school team made it to the State Finals, but lost the game in overtime.

“Playing field hockey was a lot of fun at North Salem!” Howley said. “We always had a good team and always treated each other like sisters. We had as great coach, as well.”

She also competed in soccer, basketball, and in track & field in high school. She was an All-League selection in soccer and basketball. She was an All-League Honorable Mention in soccer, as well as an All-League Honorable Mention in basketball. She competed in track in the spring season of her senior year, but did not receive any awards. She was the captain of her soccer team, when she was on the JV team, and on the basketball.

“Soccer was my other favorite sport to play when I was younger, so I always had fun doing that,” Howley said. “Most of the same girls that played field hockey played soccer, as well, so it was fun to be playing almost all year round with the same people. Basketball was fun, but I only did that until my sophomore year, because I had gotten hurt in field hockey and I needed to rest my ankle, before I went away to play field hockey in Florida that November. Basketball was fun though, because it was different and a change. Soccer and field hockey are very similar, so I always looked forward to basketball season. Track was a lot of fun, but I only did that my spring season of my senior year.”

Howley was looking to attend the University of Vermont and Sacred Heart University. She applied to both schools, but she knew that she only wanted to go to Sacred Heart.

“I choose Sacred Heart, because when I came on my official visit here, I loved it!” Howley said. “It was just a perfect fit for me. It wasn't too close to home, but definitely not too far either. And when I met the team, I loved how they connected. Also, I really liked the coaches here. They had my major and a great program for it, so I was sold.”

As a freshman, she lead all the Pioneers in scoring, with 13 goals and five assists. She also started 17 of 20 games. She registered her first career hat trick in a 6-2 win over Brown a few weeks into the season, then was selected to the NEC Rookie of the Week twice. She was named the NEC Rookie of the YEAR and to the All-NEC second-team at the end of the season.

“I don't remember much about freshman year,” Howley said. “I know that I was playing center forward and that's probably why I scored more often than in the past 3-years.”

“Jenn was a forward for us her freshman year,” Sacred Heart field hockey head coach Chris Blais said. “Her strengths were her movement off the ball, ability to re-direct shots and mostly her ability to finish off rebounds.”

As a sophomore, she appeared in 20 games on the season, including 19 starts. She scored one goal and assed an assist for three total points on the season. She took 28 shots on the season.

“No,” Howley said of that goal. “I am sorry. I don't remember that.”

Last year, she appeared in 20 games on the year, including 19 starts. She finished fourth on the team in scoring with 13 points, while scoring four goals and assisting on five goals. She was named to the All-NEC second team and was named to the NEC All-tournament team.

“It was a great honor to be on the All-Tournament team last year,” Howley said. “I was very surprised, but happy about it at the same time. It was just a great feeling.”

“Jenn was one of our most consistent players for four years,” Coach Blais said. “She is an extremely hard worker, skilled player and has the speed and athleticism needed to be successful. Last season, Jenn played mostly in the right mid field and was able to control much of the game on the right side. Her and Andi Coiro did a fantastic job carrying the ball up the sideline with short give-and-go passes.”

This past season, she started all 18 games. She had 1 goal and assisted on two goals for a total of 4 points. She took 17 shots, with 10 shots on goal.

“I think I played alright this year,” Howley said. “I had some really good games and some not so good games, but doesn't everyone? I would say one of my best games was against Fairfield, because I am always pumped more than usually to play them. I never wanted to lose to Fairfield since we live in the same town, as them. Don't know why it gets me so pumped, but it did. I am very happy that Coach switched my position to mid field for my last two years. I really enjoyed playing in the mid field and being all over the field instead of being up on the forward line.”

Howley is currently majoring in psychology at Sacred Heart University. When she first came into college, she wanted to teach elementary school. But you cannot major in education at Sacred Heart, so she had to major in a subject and get into the education program. She thought psychology would be a good background to have for teaching, and the major allowed a lot of elective space for her to take the education courses.

“After college, I am going to actually stay here for grad school and get my masters in teaching,” Howley said. “I have changed my mind and I now want to teach math. I will be certified for 6-12, so I am excited about that. Other than that, I don't really know. I would stay here in Fairfield, if I got a teaching job, but other wise, I would like to go back to New York and live there. I would also like to do a lot of traveling. I would love to see Europe! That is what I am hoping to do in the near future.”

“Jenn is extremely self motivated and expects nothing but the best from herself,” Coach Blais said. “I have no doubt at all that Jenn will be most successful in (any) endeavor she takes on.”