Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams Qualify for AAC Conference Tournament

Knoxville, TN- In a historic achievement, both the men's and women's soccer teams at Johnson have qualified for their respective Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tournaments, marking a major milestone since the university's transition to NAIA membership and entry into the AAC. This impressive feat goes to show the growth of Johnson's athletic program as a whole and reflects the hard work and dedication of both teams throughout this season.

Season Highlights and Standout Performances

For the men's team, the season concluded with an 8th place finish in the AAC standings and a 3-5-4 conference record, demonstrating their competitiveness in a tough conference. Leading the charge was Robert Platt, whose standout performance saw him finish the season with 25 Points, 10 Goals, 5 Assists, and 36 shots — placing him among the AAC's top scorers.

When asked about how the season went, Head Coach Isaac Morris stated: "This season has been full of ups and downs. We made things harder on ourselves than necessary, but we achieved our goal. Last year, as a coaching staff, we set our sights on making the postseason, and the boys delivered. They put in the work every single day. We're moving forward as a program, and this is a significant step. I'm incredibly grateful for each of these players—they're laying a strong foundation for the future."

The women's team made an equally powerful impression, finishing 5th in the conference with a stellar 7-2-4 record. Kaitlyn Pope was a major driving force behind their success, contributing 86 saves, only 18 goals allowed, posted an .827 save percentage, placing her amongst the top goalkeepers in the conference. Her leadership on the field has been instrumental in securing Johnson's place in the tournament, and her performance has made her a player to watch.

When asked about this season and this historic achievement, Head Coach Todd Halliburton stated: "This is such a big moment for us, not as a team, but as a program. The sweat, tears, and effort that this team has put in to accomplish this is an echo of the players of the past who set the stage and helped build to this. This is an accomplishment that these players who are here currently will remember for their rest of their lives and is a building block for future teams to come. It's all about sisterhood."

First Round Tournament Matchups

With conference play wrapped up, both teams now look forward to challenging opponents in the opening rounds of the AAC tournament. The men's team, seeded 8th, will face a formidable opponent in #1 Union Commonwealth on Friday, November 1st. This match promises to be a tough contest, but the team is eager to showcase their resilience on the field.

The women's team, seeded 5th, will take on #4 Milligan on Saturday, November 2nd, following the start of the women's tournament on Wednesday, October 30th. This matchup is expected to be competitive, as both teams will battle for advancement in a highly anticipated battle.

This dual qualification has sparked enthusiasm across the Johnson community. Students, faculty, and supporters are rallying behind both teams, eager to see them achieve further success in the AAC tournament.