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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
When he graduated from Columbine High School in 2005, Metro soccer star Kellen Johnson, leading goal scorer in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, was one of the top soccer recruits coming out of Colorado. He talked to coaches from most of the major Division I schools, including Clemson, Notre Dame and, closer to home, University of Denver.
"I thought going after him would be a waste of time," Metro head coach Ken Parsons said. "He was talking to all the Division I schools, and I didn't think he would want to come to Metro."
He didn't.
Johnson decided against one of the big out of state schools to go to the local Division I option and play in Denver for the Pioneers.
"I'm kind of a homebody. I love my family, and I didn't want to be too far away from them."
At Columbine, he was a starting forward on the varsity team for three years, including a trip to state his first season as a starter.
"We won the state title my sophomore year. We won the championship game 2-0 and I scored both goals. It is the highlight of my soccer career thus far."
After being a star for three seasons in high school, Johnson had a hard time adjusting to life as a lowly freshman at DU. He didn't know any of the other players, many of whom were from out of state, and the older players didn't embrace him as a legitimate player.
Add the on-field problems to tough academics and a culture Johnson didn't fit with, and the Denver freshman thought once again about ending his soccer career.
"I don't think Kellen quite fit that country club mold at DU," Parsons said.
But Johnson didn't hang up his boots, instead he talked to a friend from his hometown of Littleton who had just finished her freshman year at Metro, current senior defender Nicole Cito.
Cito introduced Johnson to Parsons, and the second year coach acquired the player who was out of his grasp just one year ago. It was a win-win. Parsons had high-profile talent and Johnson could play close to home with players he had grown up with, including midfielders Tyler Hambrick and Sam Rolph.
Johnson's one drawback was a shoulder injury he suffered in the final game at DU when he tried a bicycle kick and landed hard on his shoulder.
"I saw a doctor after coming back from the game in New Mexico, and he said I needed surgery," Johnson said. "He told me I could wait, but he wouldn't recommend it."
But Johnson told the doctor that he couldn't afford to miss nine months of playing time, and that if he could play through the pain, he would. So far he has played through the pain, even though he estimates that he has dislocated his shoulder 20-30 times over the years.
"I could play a tough, full game and nothing will happen, and then I go home and try to grab a plate from the cupboard and I dislocate my shoulder."
Despite the injury, Johnson quickly started at Metro, only not at his preferred position of forward, but midfielder. For two seasons he helped the Roadrunners from the middle of the field, tallying five goals and three points in both his sophomore and junior seasons. But Johnson knew he could do more if given the chance to start at forward. For the 2008 season, his final season of collegiate soccer, Johnson had his wish granted to be the go-to offensive player.
"This is how I felt I should be contributing to the team. I like the pressure. Without the pressure, you don't thrive.
"I like the fact that some of the other teammates look to me to put some games away and take the leadership role."
So far this season, Johnson leads the RMAC with 23 points and is tied in first with nine goals, five of which came Sept. 26 and 28. At Auraria Field against Colorado Christian University the senior forward tied a season record with four goals in one game, including a hat trick before halftime. The four goals also set a personal record for Johnson, who scored as many goals in the weekend as he had his entire junior season.
"I've had hat tricks before, but I talked to my dad and I have never had four in one game."
Johnson doesn't know yet if this will be his last year on the soccer pitch. He is ready to snowboard once the season is over and has considered using his business management degree after graduation, despite many people's thoughts that he should try to play professionally. But the one thing Johnson does know is that his decision to come to Division II Metro was the right one.
"I really like it here. There is just as good competition in D II soccer as there is in D I."
The Metro men's soccer program doesn't mind having Johnson on the team either.
"He was a fortunate pickup," Parsons said.
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