Emma Howard United Soccer Club (USC) Every good team has that one player who everyone can just count on. For Craig Maples’ '05 girls team, that player is Emma Howard. The workhorse of the squad, Emma played every minute of every game in the fall of 2016. Maples says Emma is one of those players who sets the tone not by what she says, but by what she does. “She's not vocal but leads by example. She is the first to try something new and isn't scared to do anything. Emma is really willing to learn, to experiment, and push herself to be the player she can be.” Maples played Emma in the back but encouraged her to push as another offensive threat early in the season. After another key player was lost for the season due to a head injury, he moved Emma into the midfield where her natural athleticism was allowed to shine. “Emma made us a little more dynamic in the middle well. She's the most athletic player on the team and just a really good player overall,” says Maples. “She's just a joy to coach.”