Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Johnson Named Swimming World Magazine Female Water Polo Player of the Year
January 05, 2015 | Women's Water Polo
PRINCETON, N.J. – Fresh off a summer spent with the United States senior women's national team, Princeton junior Ashleigh Johnson was named the Swimming World Magazine Female Water Polo Player of the Year.
Garnering Outstanding Goalkeeper honors at the 2014 FINA World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, Johnson recorded 27 saves in four matches to lead Team USA to a goal medal.
After making three stops in an 18-1 victory over South Africa, Johnson made seven saves in her second tournament appearance, an 8-6 decision over Australia. Making six more saves in a 24-0 quarterfinal route of Singapore, Johnson had 11 stops in the semifinal victory over China.
With a 10-6 win over Australia in the championship game, the United States became the first team to successfully defend its World Cup crown (2010, 2014) since the Netherlands captured the 1997 and 1999 editions of the tournament. The Dutch have won a championship-best 12 medals, followed by Australia and Team USA with 10 and nine, respectively. The third gold medal for the United States, Team USA can also lay claim to five silvers and a bronze.
Earlier in the summer, Johnson went 2-0-1 at the Kirishi Cup, amassing 37 saves in 10 quarters of action. Named the Player of the Tournament, she recorded 14 saves in a 10-6 triumph over Russia before posting 17 stops in a draw against Spain. She then surrendered just one first half goal while making six saves in the championship match against the Netherlands.
In her first two seasons with the Tigers, Johnson has helped Princeton to a pair of CWPA Southern Division championships. A two-time ACWPC All-America selection, she logged 885:35 minutes in net last season, going 28-2 with a .704 save percentage, 43 steals and seven assists. During her rookie campaign, Johnson posted a 28-6 mark with a .668 save percentage, 22 assists and 47 steals.
The Tigers will open their 2015 season with the Princeton Invitational on Feb. 6-8 at DeNunzio Pool.