Sophomore Jaimel Johnson finds herself center stage this season as she takes over as starting goalkeeper for the Lady Vol soccer team. Might we see a superstar in the making? Coach Angela Kelly certainly thinks she has potential, saying Johnson is “a stud” who has the potential to play for the women’s national team one day.

Johnson spent last season on the bench behind senior captain Vanessa Phillips-Bosshart. This season she beat out freshman Molly Baird for the role of starting goalkeeper. Johnson came to the University of Tennessee from Dayton, Ohio, because she really liked the two separate programs for male and female athletes. “I really love the support that the female athletes receive,” Johnson said.

High School Honors and Accolades:

• MVP Chaminade Julienne High 2005
• Division I Player of the Year 2005
• Four consecutive Ohio state titles from 2001-2004
• Single-season school record for goals-against-average (0.37)
• Single-season school record for shutouts (13)
• Two-time NSCAA/adidas all-region and all-state selection

The athletic department is not the only ones supporting Johnson this season. She also receives support from the rest of the Lady Vols saying, “We’re just like a family on and off the field.” This new family now looks to Johnson to help lead their team to victory. So the pressure’s on. Or is it? Being the starting goalkeeper at a major SEC school is a big job and can be pretty stressful for some, but Johnson says she does not feel the added pressure.

"Hopefully I can lead us to a national championship"-Jaimel Johnson
Lady Vols sophomore goalkeeper

“I’m excited to take the spot now and hopefully I can lead us to a national championship,” she said. She also said she likes the idea that it is her skill and ability that can “make or break a game.”

Coach Kelly has taken notice that Johnson is excited about having a chance and is more than willing to give her free reign at her position. Actually, Coach Kelly has a pretty simple guideline for Johnson to follow this season, “[Don’t] let the ball go in the back of the net.” As long as Johnson follows this basic advice, Kelly said she believes it will be a successful season.

UT Career Highlights:

2005

• Finished final 7:24 of shutout against Mississippi State as a freshman

• Shutout #6 Virginia in OT win
• Shutout UNC Greensboro with 6 savesli>
• Shutout #29 Stanford with 4 saves
• 8 saves in win against Florida

It is not just Johnson’s ability to save goals and penalty kicks that has her so highly touted. Her fiery personality and her smile as a great contribution to the team, Kelly says. “Very rarely do you get to have one of the most dominant personalities in the goal.” In fact, Kelly said, she would like it if Johnson were even more vocal than she already is.

Johnson has many role models, including Alicia Keys, Maya Angelou, and the late Aaliyah. While she also looks up to NBA star Allen Iverson for his work ethic and his passion for the game, she hopes she can have the same effect on young athletes. She wants young girls to watch her play and see that “she has the heart and the passion for the game, and will do anything for the other 10 players on the field.”