Shannon Johnson is a freshman goalkeeper on the field hockey team from Ocean Port, N.J. She was named the top goalkeeper on the under-17 National Team’s tour of the Netherlands in 2011 and is a current member of the U-19 national team.
The Daily Tar Heel’s Dylan Howlett caught up with Johnson after Monday’s practice.
The Daily Tar Heel: Goalkeeping can be a rough task. What’s your favorite and least favorite part about the position?
Shannon Johnson: My favorite part is knowing that some games can come down to you. You can be the game-changer. The worst part is the pressure. Well, actually the heat from the pads might be the worst. It’s 10 degrees hotter than every other position on the field.
DTH: Your sister, Aileen, is a sophomore field hockey player at Duke. How has the rivalry affected your relationship?
SJ: It’s the same. I’ve never actually played against her before because we were always on the same team. We play her in two weeks, so it should be interesting. I thought about playing there, too. She kind of just let me do what I wanted to do, but she definitely tried to make me come to Duke, too.
DTH: Is it true you were a nationally ranked Irish step dancer?
SJ: Yeah, it is. My mom and her two sisters did it when they were younger. Growing up, my sister and I got into it and did it, and then I quit for field hockey. We traveled to Ireland eight times to compete in world competitions. It helped my goalkeeping, too. It made my feet a lot faster. I miss it sometimes.
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