Ali Howard, daughter of U.S. soccer icon Tim Howard, is setting to make her name in the collegiate scene by committing to the University of Tennessee women's soccer program. Following in the footsteps of her father—a former goalkeeper who is still celebrated for his heroic saves in the FIFA World Cup—Ali announced her decision to join the Lady Vols with genuine excitement, notably on Instagram.
While her dad protected the net with legendary prowess, this rising star is poised to quickly make her mark as a promising forward. In her Instagram post, Ali expressed gratitude towards the Tennessee coaching staff: "I would like to thank Coach Joe, Coach Jon, Coach Becky, and Coach Marty for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity to be a Lady Vol," further stating, "I can’t wait to represent my home state in orange and white! Oh… and GO VOLS🧡🤍," as reported by WATE.com.
Despite her stellar record as a striker at Briarcrest Christian School, where she notably scored 18 goals and contributed six assists in her junior year, Ali is seemingly determined to further excel and to take her athletic career to new heights. She credited the unwavering support of her circle, posting, "This would not be possible without the constant support of my family, friends, coaches, teammates, trainers and, of course, God!," as detailed by Knox News.
The Lady Vols, who concluded last season with a 9-7-4 record and progressed to the NCAA Tournament's second round, are surely to be bolstered by Ali's addition to the squad. Her father, Tim Howard, is no stranger to success himself, holding the U.S. Men's National Team cap record for a goalkeeper and having graced the fields of both the Premier League and Major League Soccer before becoming a sporting director for Memphis 901 FC. He is set to be inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame, a testament to his renowned career, as indicated by WBIR.com.
Athletic prowess seems to run in the family, and as Ali Howard steps onto the collegiate pitch, spectators and fans are set to watch a legacy continue, this time through the spirited runs and potential goals of an enthusiastic, impending Lady Vol.
