Carmel's Johnston lives
the dream against Marist
Marquette-bound junior puts in the work in 3-0 victory
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- Dreams can come true. That's been on the mind for Carmel's Erin Johnston since she's been 13. Recently she made an oral commitment to join her older sister Meegan to play soccer at Marquette University.
The junior midfielder/forward's work ethic stands out more than her goals or assists. She contributed greatly to Carmel's 3-0 shutout against visiting Marist in an East Suburban Catholic Conference match on Monday afternoon. She earned Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match honor for her effort.
Going back to her decision-making process, Erin has to be thankful that Meegan visited Marquette when Erin was in seventh grade.
"When my sister (Meegan) went there for a visit, I went with her," Erin Johnston said. "That's what made me look at it even more. I've gone to camps and talked to the coaches a lot. It's one of my favorite schools, and they play great soccer. It's been a No. 1 spot for me to go."
Still, Erin has learned a great deal from her older sister, and all the hard work has helped her in high school and with her collegiate future.
"My sister and I, since growing up, it's been a big thing for us working on our shots and stuff," Johnston said. "We've been doing that over the years. I'm still working hard to perfect my shot."
Her sister was a talented forward for the Corsairs before moving on to college a couple of years ago. She had 27 goals in her high school career.
"Honestly, she has taught me everything," Johnston said. "Along with my dad (Neil), who grew up playing soccer, my sister and I would go our in the driveway or the backyard and play soccer with one another. We learned a lot from one another. (Meegan) is a great player, and I learned a lot of my technique from her -- especially my shooting. She was very good at that."
On Monday, Erin Johnston didn't get a goal or an assist but she contributed to each of the goals. Carmel coach John Halloran expressed satisfaction with what she provides on the field.
"She really has been a good player since freshman year," Halloran said. "We ask her to play a little out of position more up top. But she has a great work rate, and her fitness level is incredible. I just love the fact that she'll do whatever it takes to help the team. She has learned to play a few different positions for us.
"I think Erin is a little more possession oriented. Her sister Meegan had a little more drive to the net. Definitely you can see similarities that they are sisters. But they are slightly different players. Erin is a great player and does what it takes out there."
Carmel (9-1-1, 5-0 ESCC) scored early Monday. Johnston began the play with a pass to McKenzie Runyan. Then Runyan found Angela Salvi, who caught the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
The Corsairs' Alyssa Cepon made it 2-0 in the 24th minute. She scored on a rebound after Johnston had her initial shot knocked down by Marist keeper Ashley Smialek.
The final goal for Carmel occurred in the 46th minute. McKenzie Runyan was knocked down in the penalty area. Amanda Lasso converted the penalty kick.
"Getting a 3-0 victory against Marist, you can't be upset by that," Halloran said. "We had to keep (Marist's) Lorna McCall in front of us. And I'm happy with our back line, and our defensive-mids did a good job keeping pressure on the ball. We limited the number of times they tried to pin the ball behind us."
Christina O'Block made three stops for her sixth clean sheet this season. She also had help in front of her from Emma Kobitter, Haley Miller and Mary Murphy.
Marist (5-7-1, 1-3) knew that they were going to have a tough battle with Carmel, but the RedHawks fought hard against the Corsairs.
"We started flat and remained flat," Marist coach Jen Germino said. "The effort wasn't there that we've had. We worked on staying in our lanes and taking up space. Carmel was a really good team. Coach does a really good job working with the talent that he has and gets them moving off the ball."
Carmel next hosts rival Saint Viator (9-2-0, 5-1-0 ESCC) at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Starting lineups
Marist
GK-Ashley Smialek
D-Elizabeth Paulmeye
D-Nora Engelhart
D-Alex Lenz
D-Claire Walsh
MF-Claire Collevy
MF-Mary Brennan
MF-Cara Donegan
MF-Delany Mulcahy
F-Kendall Boyd
F-Lorna McCall
Carmel Catholic
GK-Christina O'Block
D-Emma Kobitter
D-Haley Miller
D-Mary Murphy
MF-Kayla Handel
MF-Amanda Lasso
MF-Megan Runyan
MF-Mackenzie Sheehan
MF-Megan Runyan
F-Erin Johnston
F-Angela Salvi
MVP of the Match: Erin Johnston, F, Carmel
Referees: Dan Sawchuck, Steve Lardner, Dimitri Stiloudis
the dream against Marist
Marquette-bound junior puts in the work in 3-0 victory
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- Dreams can come true. That's been on the mind for Carmel's Erin Johnston since she's been 13. Recently she made an oral commitment to join her older sister Meegan to play soccer at Marquette University.
The junior midfielder/forward's work ethic stands out more than her goals or assists. She contributed greatly to Carmel's 3-0 shutout against visiting Marist in an East Suburban Catholic Conference match on Monday afternoon. She earned Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match honor for her effort.
Going back to her decision-making process, Erin has to be thankful that Meegan visited Marquette when Erin was in seventh grade.
"When my sister (Meegan) went there for a visit, I went with her," Erin Johnston said. "That's what made me look at it even more. I've gone to camps and talked to the coaches a lot. It's one of my favorite schools, and they play great soccer. It's been a No. 1 spot for me to go."
Still, Erin has learned a great deal from her older sister, and all the hard work has helped her in high school and with her collegiate future.
"My sister and I, since growing up, it's been a big thing for us working on our shots and stuff," Johnston said. "We've been doing that over the years. I'm still working hard to perfect my shot."
Her sister was a talented forward for the Corsairs before moving on to college a couple of years ago. She had 27 goals in her high school career.
"Honestly, she has taught me everything," Johnston said. "Along with my dad (Neil), who grew up playing soccer, my sister and I would go our in the driveway or the backyard and play soccer with one another. We learned a lot from one another. (Meegan) is a great player, and I learned a lot of my technique from her -- especially my shooting. She was very good at that."
On Monday, Erin Johnston didn't get a goal or an assist but she contributed to each of the goals. Carmel coach John Halloran expressed satisfaction with what she provides on the field.
"She really has been a good player since freshman year," Halloran said. "We ask her to play a little out of position more up top. But she has a great work rate, and her fitness level is incredible. I just love the fact that she'll do whatever it takes to help the team. She has learned to play a few different positions for us.
"I think Erin is a little more possession oriented. Her sister Meegan had a little more drive to the net. Definitely you can see similarities that they are sisters. But they are slightly different players. Erin is a great player and does what it takes out there."
Carmel (9-1-1, 5-0 ESCC) scored early Monday. Johnston began the play with a pass to McKenzie Runyan. Then Runyan found Angela Salvi, who caught the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
The Corsairs' Alyssa Cepon made it 2-0 in the 24th minute. She scored on a rebound after Johnston had her initial shot knocked down by Marist keeper Ashley Smialek.
The final goal for Carmel occurred in the 46th minute. McKenzie Runyan was knocked down in the penalty area. Amanda Lasso converted the penalty kick.
"Getting a 3-0 victory against Marist, you can't be upset by that," Halloran said. "We had to keep (Marist's) Lorna McCall in front of us. And I'm happy with our back line, and our defensive-mids did a good job keeping pressure on the ball. We limited the number of times they tried to pin the ball behind us."
Christina O'Block made three stops for her sixth clean sheet this season. She also had help in front of her from Emma Kobitter, Haley Miller and Mary Murphy.
Marist (5-7-1, 1-3) knew that they were going to have a tough battle with Carmel, but the RedHawks fought hard against the Corsairs.
"We started flat and remained flat," Marist coach Jen Germino said. "The effort wasn't there that we've had. We worked on staying in our lanes and taking up space. Carmel was a really good team. Coach does a really good job working with the talent that he has and gets them moving off the ball."
Carmel next hosts rival Saint Viator (9-2-0, 5-1-0 ESCC) at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Starting lineups
Marist
GK-Ashley Smialek
D-Elizabeth Paulmeye
D-Nora Engelhart
D-Alex Lenz
D-Claire Walsh
MF-Claire Collevy
MF-Mary Brennan
MF-Cara Donegan
MF-Delany Mulcahy
F-Kendall Boyd
F-Lorna McCall
Carmel Catholic
GK-Christina O'Block
D-Emma Kobitter
D-Haley Miller
D-Mary Murphy
MF-Kayla Handel
MF-Amanda Lasso
MF-Megan Runyan
MF-Mackenzie Sheehan
MF-Megan Runyan
F-Erin Johnston
F-Angela Salvi
MVP of the Match: Erin Johnston, F, Carmel
Referees: Dan Sawchuck, Steve Lardner, Dimitri Stiloudis