BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
At age 18, Kathleen Johnston has already achieved considerable success in soccer.
 |
|
name="valign"
top
>
Kathleen Johnston leaves for the Domincan Republic today. |
She will be looking to add to those accomplishments when she represents the Canadian Women?s Soccer Team at the 2003 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic next month.
Johnston will depart from Sudbury on Sunday, July 27 for the games. The first game for the Canadian Women?s soccer squad will be Aug. 5 against Haiti, followed by a game against Brazil, Aug. 8. Semi-final matchups begin Aug. 11.
For Johnston, this is a rare opportunity and she will bring her best efforts.
?It?s definitely an honour to represent Canada,? said Johnston. ?It gives me extra motivation to achieve more of my goals.?
The mid-fielder and the rest of her teammates have been hard at work preparing for the prestigious games. The team has played a series of exhibition games in Oregon, Indiana and Texas in the United States, as well as in Italy and Germany over the last couple of months.
Johnston said she trains every day and is determined to make an impact.
?I think our chances are good,? said Johnston. ?We have a great group of girls and we should do well if we come
out ready to play.?
Johnston said she brings a solid work ethic to the team, as well as robust physical play.
?I?m an offensive mid-fielder because I like to make forward runs and offensive plays,? said Johnston. ?I?m a hard worker with decent vision.?
Head coach Ian Bridge said he likes Johnston?s soccer ability and athleticism.
?She?s hard-working and covers a lot of ground,? said Bridge. ?We ask all our mid-fielders to work hard defensively and also to go forward offensively. Kathleen is one of the few players, this early in her career, that can handle all that work well.?
The experience will benefit Johnston?s development, he said.
?It will be their(the team?s) first big multi-sport games,? said Bridge. ?Playing soccer at that level will be great experience for her and help develop her skills.?
Johnston started playing soccer at the age of 11 and hasn?t looked back since.
In Grade 9, she made the provincial (under 15) girl?s soccer team. That team went on to capture the national title
in 2000. Last year, she helped lead the Ontario team (under 17) win a national title.
?My main goal is to make the women?s under-19 World Cup team,? said Johnston. ?I found out I made this team a few weeks ago and you have to make the most of an opportunity like this.?
Johnston said she?s ready for the challenge.
?I?m really competitive and determined,? she said. ?When I step out on the field I want to be the best I can be.?
When Johnston isn?t playing soccer, she?s tearing up the ice rinks playing hockey. She played on Team Ontario in 2001 and helped that club win a National title.
This Fall, she?ll be attending Harvard University, she said.
?I was recruited by Harvard scouts to play soccer and hockey,? said Johnston. ?I?ll be taking general science
courses when I start.?
