Castleton State College freshman Molly Howard adapts to the pace of college ice hockey. She has already accumulated five points, 3 goals and 2 assists, for the Spartans this season. Photo courtesy of Rich Glasscock

Molly Howard has spent a ton of time on the ice at Cairns Arena as a youth and Champlain Valley Union High School hockey player. She's scored many goals at the South Burlington arena.

On Saturday (Jan. 28), Howard scored again, this time for the third time as a collegian. One family-filled section of the stands erupted in celebration when Howard's goal gave Castleton State College a 2-1 lead over host St. Michael's.

Unfortunately for Howard and her clan, the Purple Knights rallied for a 3-2 overtime win against the Spartans. Still, conceded the CSC freshman, it was still a special moment.

"It felt very, very good. My whole family was here so it was nice," said Howard of her third career goal.

According to Castleton coach Bill Bowes, the Howard family will have many more such celebrations. "She can score goals and she'll score even more," said Bowes after the tough loss. 

A four-year hockey player and two-year varsity soccer mainstay at CVU, Howard is one of seven freshmen on the Castleton roster. She's the first-line center and ranks fourth in scoring with five points for the Spartans, who are 6-12-0 overall and 5-7-0 in ECAC East.

"Molly has progressed quite a bit since the beginning of the year," Bowes said. "She's got a ways to go and she's got things to work on, but she's really a good learner."

Coming from the Vermont high school ranks, Howard faced a considerable adjustment to the college game.

"The speed of the game is completely different," Howard said. "That was a little difficult at first. I was a little bit overwhelmed ... but I made the adjustment."

Bowes said Howard is adapting to the faster game, which is also more physical. "She's starting to learn how to play with and against better competition," Bowes said, adding, "She's getting a lot more aggressive and that's something she probably didn't need to do prior to this level of play. She could kind of float around and score goals. She's starting to play the body."

Her strong skating helped Howard move into the first-line center role. In addition, Howard said she believes her ability to communicate with linemates and her on-ice vision have helped her adjust.

"I'm hard-working. I want to improve and make everyone around me improve as well," said Howard, who said she must work her shot. "I'm not as strong as the other girls because I'm more on the smaller side.

"What I need to do is to keep moving my feet, go hard to the puck and try my best," she said.

While the Castleton program has improved, it also has a way to go. The day after the SMC game, the Spartans managed only five shots on goal in a 10-0 loss to Norwich, the nation's No. 1 Division III team.

"We've got some building to do but as we build and get good players each year, Molly will continue to help us because she's really starting to get it," Bowes said. "She's very hungry, very committed, and wants to play. That's probably her biggest asset."

Howard selected Castleton in part because of its proximity to home and in part because CSC president Dave Wolk is a staunch supporter of student-athletes. Howard narrowed her choices to Castleton and St. Michael's.

"It was disappointing," said Howard of the loss to SMC before adding, "We're going to improve immensely. Coach is looking for better recruits, so I'm excited."

It's a feeling undoubtedly shared by the entire Howard family.

Contact Ted Ryan at TedRyanVT@aol.com with information on collegiate student-athletes.