Baker’s Johnson to Webber
Webber International University soccer coach Neil Cockburn projects that his newest recruit, Ida Baker senior Joe Johnson, will score a number of goals for the Warriors.
After all, Johnson brings a fast-paced, attacking style to the pitch. Cockburn, though, is equally impressed with the attitude Johnson brings to Webber.
“We’re looking for team players and J.J. certainly is that,” Cockburn said.
Johnson, a four-year letter-winner, signed a scholarship with Webber Friday in the Baker auditorium. On hand were teammates and several family members, including his mother, Karen Johnson, and stepfather, Larry Pikula.
Bulldogs coach Mick Whitewood considers Johnson a valuable player who helped get his program moving in the right direction. They posted their first winning season this past season.
“That was a big deal for us,” Whitewood said. “(Johnson) really matured and scored a number of goals. His fast, aggressive style was a good fit in our system.”
A midfielder and striker, Johnson created a lot of scoring opportunities for the Bulldogs while forming an exciting offensive tandem with sophomore Nick Presti.
At Webber, Johnson will play for Cockburn, who is in his second year at the school after coaching the Cape High girls’ team in 2007-08. He coached men’s soccer at Sienna Heights University in Michigan before that.
Johnson also will join former teammate Dale Ledain, a 2008 Baker graduate.
“They’re all nice guys,” Johnson said of his new team. “They accepted me right away and treated me like one of them.”
Though Johnson has played an extensive amount of soccer over the past 14-15 years, he credits his coach the past two years for keeping him motivated and supplying great knowledge.
“(Coach Whitewood) taught me more in the past two years than I ever learned before,” Johnson said.