THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

Before she became one of the most decorated players in program history, Jaelin Howell made a splash in her freshman 2018 season. As a defensive midfielder, Howell helped FSU hold opponents to just 13 goals all season, the second-fewest goals allowed to that point in program history. “We have to match intensity and bring everything we have,” Howell said before No. 5 FSU’s matchup with No. 14 Penn State in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament — the first of three consecutive Seminole shutouts en route to the National Championship. For her leadership and talent, Howell was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the NCAA Tournament, the first Seminole to receive the award. She went on to win multiple national accolades, including the 2020 and 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy and the 2021 Honda Sports Award.