Johnson to maintain midfield presence at St. Mary-of-the-Woods

Aleeyah Johnson (center) will still be patrolling the midfield area in the 2024-25 sports year after signing to play soccer at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College recently. Johnson was joined by (front) mother Amanda, father Robert, (back) Pomeroy women’s soccer head coach Ron Kiernicki, sisters Ameliah and Avah and Tiger Cub girls’ soccer head coach Scott Monnett.

Courtesy photo

Soccer season ended two months ago at Greencastle and winter sports are in full swing.

That doesn’t mean the mind of Aleeyah Johnson has wandered to being out on the pitch in the summer, preparing for a new season, a season that will take place in a kit that isn’t purple and grey.

Instead, it will be just down the road at St. Mary-of-the-Woods as the Tiger Cub senior recently signed to continue patrolling the midfield for the Pomeroys beginning in the 2024-25 school year.

“I knew immediately from my tour (at St. Mary’s),” Johnson said about knowing where she wanted to continue her schooling. “The environment was so inviting and welcoming.

“It’s my style; a small campus, the buildings are very pretty and it’s smack dab in the middle of the woods. It’s very serene and the people are very nice.

“When I toured, they had a baby alpaca and pony, along with horses everywhere. That definitely sealed the deal,” Johnson added with a laugh.

Johnson added working with children was a goal of hers in the future, likely through education, though she was keeping options open.

“I want to major in elementary education or child psychology,” Johnson said. “The latter has been another interest and I’m still debating between the two.”

The Pomeroys, after a promising 2021 season, have been stuck in neutral the past two campaigns, hovering around the .500 mark with former Greencastle forward Kennedy Trigg leading the offense in goals in two of the past three seasons.

St. Mary’s has been on the wrong side of several one-goal matches and Johnson said the school was looking to up the level of competition going into the next season.

“St. Mary’s is an NAIA member and I know a few people who go there,” Johnson said. “I went on a visit with a friends that was thinking about attending and that sparked my interest in going there.

“We haven’t talked much about where I would play but the coaching staff did say there was a possibility I could step in next year and be a competitive member of the squad. They do have a very competitive group coming in, so I’m not sure where my role will fall but am looking forward to getting back into training and into the season again.”

Though not a long way from Greencastle, Johnson said not being with family for extended periods was going to take some time to adjust to, though with several friends already at the school, the senior said it wouldn’t take too long to get used to daily life in Terre Haute.

“Being an hour away from my family and friends is a little scary, along with being in a new environment,” Johnson said. “That said, I have teammates from the past year and other friends who are either interested or already attend currently, so I feel I’ll be comfortable there.

“Also, I have met some of the team, who have reached out to me as well and they all seem very nice.”

While the current basketball season is the focus for now, Johnson said having secured her future soccer plans made her already yearn to be on the pitch again.

“I am really excited. I already miss soccer,” Johnson said. “As soon as our season was over, yes I was already into my second season in basketball, but I miss soccer and am ready to get back into training.

“I’m looking forward to see what this new chapter brings.”