Liz Johson fuels York Catholic soccer
It has been no secret that Liz Johnson has been one of York Catholic's most prolific players on the field this season.
Although Johnson and her teammates were held off the scoreboard in Thursday's District 3 Class A girls' championship game against Trinity, the senior attacker has made her mark on the score sheet more times than not this season. Monday, she scored her 100th goal of the season in York Catholic's 7-1 semifinal win against Fairfield.
Slideshow: Trinity 3, York Catholic 0
"She's strong, she's physical and she's skilled," York Catholic head coach Joe Nattans said. "And you put those three things together, usually you come out with a good result. She's smart, meaning she knows where to be - where to get the ball and where to attack. She's physical enough to withstand the pressure, and she's skilled enough to get around people and get good shots.
Trinity effectively shut down Johnson during Thursday's championship game, but there were flashes of what has made her so deadly for the Fighting Irish. During the first half, she was able to work her way around several players in the Trinity zone before being forced to turn the ball over.
Johnson was also a crucial player in the Fighting Irish's come-from-behind, quarterfinal win against Wyomissing in late October. She scored two goals that game - one late in the first half, and the other at the midway point of the second - to lead York Catholic back from a two-goal deficit to a 3-2 victory.
Johnson pointed to that quarterfinal win as her one of her best memories during her four years at York Catholic. Her other favorite memory is the one of playing with her sister Kathleen during her freshman season.
"Playing with my sister was probably most memorable," Johnson said. "When we were in together just being able to feed off her and that was probably the most memorable."
Johnson will continue to play soccer in the fall when she starts her first year of college at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She has visited the NCAA Division III program and verbally committed.
"I really like it down there, and I'm excited what's to come, but I'll miss playing with these girls," Johnson said.
Before all of that, Johnson and the rest of her Fighting Irish teammates have the state tournament. Coincidentally, the last time York Catholic made it to states was Johnson's first year. "It's fun, senior and freshman year, to be able to (go to states)," she said.
Although her team has benefited from Johnson's success over the years, she is not one to toot her own horn. Johnson was quick to credit her teammates for the individual success she has had at York Catholic.
"These girls all work hard," she said. "I think having a team you really bond with and know really want to win just helps me to push forward."