2008 Woodie Awards
Lax goes international
Players' and coaches' different backgrounds first came together at the U-19 World Cup
Lance Miller
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Sports
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Most recently, Johnson coached the Canadian under 19 team in the summer of 2007 for the first time.
It is fair to say that Johnson's experience as a coach and player lured two international competitors to play for the Women's Lacrosse team.
Junior midfielder Kristen Millar played for Canada in this past summer's World Cup under Jen Johnson, while sophomore Rebecca Banyard, who played for the Australians in the World Cup, has come to study abroad for the semester to play lacrosse at UVM.
Johnson and Millar were elected to the 2007 IFWLA World Cup team. It was Johnson's first time as a coach for the team and Millar's first time playing for the Canadian team.
"It's just unbelievable to think that you're playing for your country and representing all of the lacrosse players in your country…its amazing." Millar said about her world cup experience.
Canada beat Australia in their first match, the first win Canada ever had over Australia. However, Australia beat Canada in the semi-final game.
The Aussies, with Banyard on the team, placed second at the World Cup. Canada placed fourth.
Banyard, a native of Perth, Australia, said she was first interested in UVM because "they've got lacrosse and it has a beautiful campus."
Her coaches at home in Australia also directed her towards UVM for the opportunity to learn and play under coach Johnson.
Banyard said her most memorable moment of the World Cup was when Australia beat the Canadians to advance to the finals.
"That game, we just connected as a team really well." Baynard said. Both Banyard and Millar, under Johnson's tutelage, have the Catamounts playing at a higher and more optimistic level than ever before.
"The first goal is American East championship tournaments…I definitely think this is the most depth we've had on a team," Millar said.
"I think we're going to do well, we're still a very young team with 13 sophomores," Johnson said.
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