Mya Johnson ’23 stars on and off the pitch

When Mya Johnson ’23 steps on the field, she brings an energy and confidence that resonates throughout the team. She loves to play the game and be with her teammates,” said Norm Riker, head coach of the women’s soccer team.

Unfortunately, Johnson had to put the game she loves on hold in 2020 when the NESCAC season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, though, she was able to train with her teammates on the practice pitch.

“Attending college during a global pandemic was both a blessing and a hardship. Many schools were shut down, and not as fortunate as Conn was,” Johnson said.

“Bottom line, Conn kept us safe. Our advantage was being tested, and knowing that I was healthy and the people around me were safe. Eventually, athletes were able to resume contact and we started training again. Being on the green with my teammates and friends was well worth it. We grew closer, learned how to better play together and progressed as a team.”

From Johnson’s first season, Conn knew she was a special talent. The neurology major started all 16 matches as a first-year player from Old Lyme, Connecticut, and made an immediate impact by scoring eight goals and dishing out two assists. In her first collegiate match, she found the back of the net twice to help the Camels down Roger Williams 3-1. She also made the NESCAC Fall All-Academic Team in 2020 and received Dean’s Honors in 2021.

So far this season (Fall 2021), Johnson has been named the NESCAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Week, and through 10 matches has seven goals and one assist.