GOAL GAL Linsey Johnson becomes A&M's newest scoring sensation By Tom B. Turbiville

Linsey Johnson has a knack for doing things early and successfully. At the tender age of 18, the freshman phenom of the Aggie soccer field left behind the comforts of her Midland home and made the same trek that her brother, father, mother and great grandfather before her had made – to Texas A&M.

She got her high school diploma in three-and-a-half years and her four-year plan at A&M was pretty much decided – be a freshman starter in one of the nation’s top soccer programs, get a degree in agri-business, help that soccer team to an eventual national title, and marry Brad Woodard.

Three of those four goals are certain. Johnson’s already a starter, she’ll walk the graduation stage probably sometime in 2004, and he and her high school sweetheart have a July 19th wedding date set. As far as competing for the national title, that step remains a challenging but attainable goal, according to Johnson.

"I think we can make it to the Final Four this year," she proclaims.

Her prediction doesn’t come without foundation. While the Aggies have endured a less than perfect start to the season, 4-2-1 including a disappointing weather cancellation of a home match with No. 1 North Carolina and a frustrating tie with Colorado, Johnson has clearly lived up to the reputation she brought with her from three season at Midland Lee and eight season with the Midland Blast Soccer Club.

She scored a goal in each of A&M’s first six games before her string was snapped in Boulder. With at least 11 matches to follow, she’s a real threat to break Jamie Csizmdia’s freshman record of 13 goals in 1993.

And like any team-oriented freshman, she says that it’s not about Linsey Johnson scoring, but about A&M winning.

"Whoever gets the ball in the net, that’s great, whether I scored it or helped with it or had nothing to do with it, just as long as we win," Johnson said.

This personable West Texan not only says the right things off the field, she does the right things on it. She and fellow true freshman Emma Smith would be in a photo finish as far as being the team’s fastest players – both around a 4.64 in the 40. But Johnson earned her forward spot, not by talking, but by producing.

"We she came to A&M a semester early last January, I told her that we had two All American forwards returning (Nicky Thasher and Heather Ragsdale) and that her chance of stepping in the front line and playing was remote," says coach G. Guerrieri. "Well in practice, she started moving forward and was scoring a goal every scrimmage. So I moved her to midfield, and she scored a goal every scrimmage there. So I just told her to forget what I had told her earlier – she’s on the front line."

Out front is a familiar place for this natural athlete who started playing the game at age 4.

"I was pretty serious about it from the start," Johnson said. "My parents say that I was a little speed demon, running around looking for the ball to kick."

By the time she got to high school, she was into basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis… and rodeo.

"I'm just a cowgirl at heart," she says proudly. "Growing up, I loved to work cattle and rodeo – barrel racing mainly."

Whether it was turning barrels or kicking goals, Linsey Johnson looked no further than her own family as a support group.

"They are awesome parents," she says of Dennis and LaQuita Johnson. Dennis is a petroleum engineer for Henry Petroleum in Midland. Both parents attended A&M, and older brother Matt got his Aggie degree in May and now lives with his wife in Houston. They all support her athletics, and her upcoming marriage.

Linsey Johnson has a long family history tied to Aggieland, as both her parents attended A&M.

Linsey met Brad Woodard at Lee High School. When he graduated, he stayed in West Texas for a year of college before transferring to A&M, and Linsey followed a semester later.

"We’ve been dating for three years," Johnson said. "We believe God has chosen us to be together and to be married. We didn’t see the point in waiting four years until I graduated. I’m so excited and so is he. And I think it will help with my soccer. Brad is such a huge supporter of the team."

Linsey will have just turned 20 when she walks down the isle.

"People who don't know us might say that we’re too young," she admits. "But once they get to know me, they understand it’s the right thing. My brother got married, and they waited longer. They tell me not to wait. Brad and I have prayed about this for three years. We figure we’re doing it on God’s time."

No doubt wherever Johnson is headed, she’ll get there quickly. Her decision to enter A&M a semester early has paid dividends both in the classroom and on the soccer field. Recruited by Baylor, Texas Tech and Alabama, she made her decision based partially on family history and Brad being there, but mainly for academics.

"If it was only about soccer, I might have gone somewhere else," she said. "I made my decision so early that I avoided a lot of the recruiting process. I knew A&M was the place for me. The extra semester was a large benefit – not just for soccer but all the other advantages with school and training and getting to know my teammates and coaches. It was a huge asset to start this fall with a head start."

G. Guerrieri couldn’t agree more with Johnson’s decision to get her bearings early in Aggieland.

"That extra semester has been the difference for her," says the Aggie coach. "College is a different environment, and the speed of the game is 10 times faster than in high school or even in club soccer. Most freshmen have their heads spinning when they get here. Linsey got that out of her system. She couldn’t play in the games, but she trained with us every day and she knew what to expect once this season started. I totally expected her success."

Added Johnson: "I was hoping it would turn out like this. The coaches could see a lot of potential in me and the team. I had never had the opportunity to play with excellent coaching and an excellent team – not of this caliber. Every day you improve more and more because we’re scrimmaging against ourselves, the best."

The roster calls Linsey Johnson a freshman, but she doesn’t talk like one or play like one. In a time when most teen-agers don’t plan much beyond lunchtime, this youngster has a plan and a way to carry out.

"When we go out and recruit, we try to do our homework," Guerreiri said. "We find kids from good families, and they tend to be good kids. And she’s from an Aggie family. She has her head on straight."