Local standout Ria Johnston commits to UPEI Soccer
The UPEI Women’s Soccer program has a gem on its hands.
Head coach Lewis Page has recruited local standout Ria Johnston, hoping to build a strong foundation that can help end the team’s seven-year playoff drought.
Page was drawn to Johnston’s ability to break down defences and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. And after a season in which the Panthers scored fewer than a goal per game, the winger’s inclusion could be vital to the team’s success moving forward.
“Ria will add to our attacking options on the outside and down the middle of the field,” Page said about his 17-year-old rookie. “Fans will see an exciting fast player who will make the other teams’ defences uncomfortable.”
Johnston, a Charlottetown native who is on the PEI Canada Games training team preparing for the summer games in August, said the provincial soccer program has played a big part in her life.
“This program has given me a lot, especially the opportunity to represent the Island in four Atlantic tournaments and a national competition.”
Her successes at home also landed her opportunities in British Columbia, where she played alongside some of the top talents in Canada as part of the Vancouver Whitecaps youth combine in 2016, 2017, and 2019. She hopes these experiences will guide her through the grind that university athletics demands from its student-athletes.
“My goal is to be able to contribute to the team right away and compete at a high level,” said Johnston, who will study biology at UPEI. “I hope to gain experience playing against and alongside stronger players and become a better player myself.”
Graeme McDonald, PEI Soccer Association’s Manager of Player Development, has witnessed Johnston grow through these experiences and says she can be a game changer for her new team.
“Ria is a versatile player who can play a few positions. She is very quick and uses her speed and technical ability to dominate one-on-ones,” McDonald said. “She also has an eye for the goal and the ability to change the game. Ria has all the attributes to become a strong AUS player.”
For such a young player, Johnston has already accomplished so much. Beginning this fall, the Panthers will have a chance to reap the benefits of her star potential. Welcome Ria!
