ASU redshirt senior midfielder Lindsey Johns has been around the women’s soccer program longer than anyone else on the squad, a total of five years, longer even than coach Kevin Boyd.
Johns redshirted during the 2008 season after a being ruled out due to a knee injury. Johns has been an important figure for the Sun Devils coming off the bench, playing in 14 games so far this season. She is one of five seniors who will be recognized on senior day this Sunday against UCLA.
State Press: What sort of emotions do you think you’ll feel on senior day?
Lindsey Johns: I think obviously I’ll be a little sad. It’s our last home weekend and we do have to win both games in order to make it to the (NCAA) tournament, so that’s a little stressful. I think all the seniors will want to play their best because it may be their last game, and we want to go out on a good note.
SP: Do you think there’s any added pressure coming off the bench and being expected to make an impact?
LJ: I don’t think it’s pressure… I think that everyone that goes in is trying to play their best obviously and improve the game, especially if it’s lacking, or if we’re doing good to add that much more. I don’t think it’s stressful so much as every time you go out there you want to play your best and contribute and impact the game in a positive way.
SP: What has it been like to go through so many changes since you first started playing as a Sun Devil?
LJ: It’s definitely been an adjustment. Ray [Leone, the coach before Boyd] and Kevin are completely different coaches. They have different styles, and I think that while Ray was a great coach, Kevin is good for the team that we have now. I think he knows how to make the team really work together and bring out that desire to win. I know all competitive athletes want to win, but he’s really good at making you want to win for each other. We play better when we play for each other, and it just makes it easier.
Personally, from my first year to my last, I think the team has progressively gotten closer. We all hang out all the time, on and off the field. I wouldn’t say we’re together 24/7, but I think we really are like a family. We all can trust each other, call each other anytime. Play wise I think we’ve also progressively gotten better. This is the best team I’ve played on out of all four years, even though our record isn’t really showing it right now. We’re not really showing how good we could be, but hopefully we can make the tournament and prove everyone wrong.
SP: What was your finest ASU soccer moment?
LJ: Making the tournament for the first time [last season]. I had never made it before and it was a real cool experience to say you made the NCAA’s. And traveling to Wisconsin to a different climate and playing in that adversity was really cool. You have to win to survive, and it definitely brings a lot more pressure. I think it’s exciting and makes you want to play harder.
Reach the reporter at egrasser@asu.edu
