With a wealth of endurance and speed to burn, Centennial forward Maddie Howell has been an offensive machine in the early stages of her sophomore season.

Making relentless runs from the left wing to the top of the box, Howell has notched a team-leading four goals on the year — including a three score night in a 5-1 win over region-rival Chattahoochee.

“Maddie has a great motor and plays one of the most physically demanding positions on the field, often without a sub,” said Centennial soccer coach Jeff Burch. “She really had to work hard and made great runs in order to earn those goals.”

Howell’s success as a sophomore comes after she cracked the Lady Knights starting lineup as a freshman a year ago — rising from a junior varsity player at the start of the season to a varsity hero by season’s end, scoring the game-winning goal in a late season win that put the Lady Knights into the state playoffs.

Burch said he expects Howell to continue making a big impact over the course of her Centennial career, including what he hopes is another postseason run this spring.

“As the season goes on I expect her to get more comfortable with her position and give herself even more scoring opportunities,” said the Centennial coach.

“She will be key for us as we make a push towards the playoffs.”