Lute Salute Series

TACOMA, Wash. - Pacific Lutheran University's Ellie Johnson is very grateful for her experience as a collegiate student-athlete. A senior soccer player, Johnson has created lifelong friendships and memories.
 

Hometown: La Center, Wash.

Highlights: Three-Time NWC Champion Two-Time All-NWC 11 career goals

One memory that stands out is beating crosstown rival University of Puget Sound under the lights at home and on the Loggers' home field. She also cherishes the opportunity to travel to Texas, California, and Minnesota with whom she considers to be her best friends: her teammates.

"I could go on and on," Johnson said. "Playing soccer in college was the best decision of my life."

The La Center, Washington native is grateful for the support of her coaches both on an off the field. A representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Johnson has blossomed into a leader for the soccer team.

On the field, Johnson has appeared in all 41 matches over the past two seasons, landing Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference accolades in 2018 and Second Team All-Conference laurels last fall. She's found the back on the net on 11 occasions, while netting two assists and five career game winning goals. Of the 41 matches Johnson has played, she's been a starter in 36 of those and claimed NWC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 1, 2018 after finishing the weekend with four goals. Johnson landed Second Team Scholar All-West Region honors last fall and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma academic honors society. She's additionally been honored with the NWC Scholar Athlete Award in each of the past three years.

Along with her fellow seniors, Johnson has a tenure at PLU that has seen the Lutes win three straight NWC titles, make two NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, and boast a 46-9-8 overall record. That includes a 39-5-4 mark in league play and a nearly unbeatable 23-1-4 mark at PLU's East Field.

"Ellie is an absolute rock star!" said Head Coach Seth Spidahl. "To watch Ellie grow from her freshman year where she didn't play one minute on the field; to now a senior captain and one of our most potent attacking players has been awesome to watch! She excels off the field as a 3.99 Nursing Major, and is a SAAC representative for our program. Ellie embodies ALL of our core values: team first, service, work ethic, and gratitude. I'm excited to watch her close out her career this Spring season!"

Outside of athletics, Johnson is a member of the PLU Nursing program. Her involvement on campus included helping give out free flu shots this fall.

"Being able to make a difference in the community through nursing clinicals would have to be one of my most cherished memories at PLU," Johnson said.

After graduation, Johnson hopes to pursue a career in neonatal nursing.