Emily Johnson Named MW Defensive Player of the Week
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Emily Johnson, who racked up eight saves in the net for UNM’s stunning 2-1 comeback win over Washington, was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the first honor bestowed to a Lobo soccer player this season. Johnson probably could have been nominated on offense as she assisted on the winning goal in the 90th minute of the match.
Sarah Taylor of Utah State was the Offensive Player of the Week and Sophie Drown of Boise State was the Freshman of the Week.
Johnson recorded eight saves, five of which came in the second half. None was bigger than after Washington took a 1-0 lead, Johnson leapt to her left to just knock a away a header labeled for the corner that would have made it 2-0. Instead with the match even at 1, she picked off a service into the box and then took her time, rolled the ball forward and sent a 70-yard service to the top of the opposite 18 to teammate Zaria Katesigwa, who took one touch and blasted home the game-winner with 59 seconds left. It was UNM’s first win over a Pac-12 team in 14 years and the first assist of Johnson’s career.
UNM heads on the road for a pair of matches in Phoenix, playing Northern Arizona in Phoenix on Thursday night at 6:30 pm and then at Grand Canyon at 9 pm on Saturday night.
ICYMI: Emily Johnson ➡️ Zaria Katesigwa to give us the win over Washington! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/8iDWITVS6o
— Lobo Women’s Soccer (@UNMLoboWSoccer) September 5, 2021