After scoring the game-winning goal in the state championship game in 2009 as a sophomore, Johnston had 13 goals and 12 assists and earned Inquirer second-team all-South Jersey honors while being named a first-team selection by the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association last season. She accomplished all this in a workmanlike, but highly effective, manner.
"She is an old-school, tough, physical, hard-nosed player," Haddonfield coach Glenn Gess said. "She is unselfish and can take over a game at any time."
Johnston can dominate in any setting and doesn't distinguish between practice and the actual games.
"What I like best about K.J. is she works as hard in practice as she does in a game," Gess said. "I can't say enough about her."
It's hard to believe she can work any harder than she does during a game. Johnston and classmate Maddie Kiep are relentless and often wear teams down, especially late in games.
Last year, Haddonfield didn't win any sort of title despite its 19-win season. The Bulldogs were second in the Colonial Conference Liberty to West Deptford and then were eliminated in the South Jersey Group 2 final by Middle Township in a penalty-kick shootout.
"It was tough ending the season that way," Johnston said. "Our team is very motivated to improve."
This season will complete Johnston's long association with Haddonfield soccer, one that began when she was a youngster and served as a ball girl.
"I always wanted to be part of this program," she said.
A lasting memory came during her sophomore year when Johnston scored the game-winning goal in overtime as Haddonfield defeated Mahwah, 2-1, in the state Group 2 championship game.
