Ethan Johnson is considering trade school after graduating from Hamilton High West, with thoughts of becoming an electrician.
That would only be fitting, since Johnson lit up the offense for the Hornets’ soccer team this fall.
With two games remaining in the regular season, the senior striker had collected 11 goals and seven assists. He not only led West in both categories, but was seventh in the CVC in goals, eighth in assists and 12th in points as of Oct. 20.
It all stems from a burning desire to put balls past the goalkeeper.
“Without a doubt, that’s his prime attribute,” coach Simon Lapointe said. “He’s a hungry and fiery guy. He has that nose to give everything he’s got to shoot the ball on the net.”
It actually took Johnson some time to develop that skill. The Yardville resident started playing rec in Allentown at age 7. He stayed there for a while before moving to the Hibernians Players Development Academy.
As a youth, he was a midfielder and a distributor.
“I just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net,” Johnson said. “I could play the ball to someone’s foot, I just couldn’t get it in there. I was winning the ball, I would score some goals but I wasn’t doing what a striker should do.
“I would get more assists, but I started getting better chances and the goals got easier. I wasn’t shooting long shots. I just started taking more chances. I would shoot 10 a game but score two. I started gradually moving to the top, and goals just kind of came with the position change.”
When he arrived at Hamilton, Johnson played in a varsity scrimmage and assisted his brother Keith, a senior on the team, for a goal. Ethan remained with the big team during that Covid-shortened year and had one goal and one assist.
“I really didn’t play much that year,” he said. “I kind of just got called up because my brother played. They put me in the midfield and after I assisted his first goal, they kind of put me in. I wasn’t worried about the height difference or the size difference of the older guys. It was more a skill thing, with guys a little better than me. I was trying to work on that. That always pushes you.”
It pushed him to score seven goals and four assists as a sophomore and collect six goals and 10 assists last season. The improvement in his numbers can be mainly attributed to one fierce quality.
“Ethan has an unmatched work ethic,” Lapointe said. “Every day he gives a 100 percent effort so that’s why his stats increase every year. Since I’ve been part of the program, no matter what, day in and day out, whether it’s summer program, first day of practice or whatever; he always gives 100 percent effort.
“His work ethic gets him in prime shape. He’s always in the best shape on the team and gives everything he’s got. It just reflects on his play, he never needs a sub throughout the year.”
It was that hard work that enabled Johnson to become a better finisher, along with the fact that playing with PDA made him a product of his environment. He had to improve amongst better players around him.
“Whenever the other guys are better at something than you it’s kind of a natural competition,” Johnson said. “You just want to get better at it. It just got better when I trained with them. When you train with people better than you, you just work harder.
“The feeling of wanting to win a game, it changes from a small town team like Allentown to a bigger association. People around you push you.”
Not only was Johnson playing with better players, he got to play against them last summer when his team, the PDA Modrics, reached the national finals in Oceanside, Cal., before losing to IMG. It not only helped in soccer, but in learning to be responsible in everyday life.
“It was a fun experience, something you can’t really get around here,” Ethan said. “You’re traveling with your friends, staying in a hotel room with just you guys, no parents.”
Upon his return, Johnson went back to work with Hamilton and wasted little time showing he would be a scorer this year as he tallied in the season opener against Notre Dame. He scored two goals in a game three times, had a point in 13 of of the Hornets first 18 games and notched goals in eight of them.
“This year he had to be versatile and play everywhere, and he has been the prime story for our team,” Lapointe said. “He’s done a way better job of reading the play and just off of his aggression he always makes the right play, that’s why his assists are high as well.”
Johnson has adapted well to forward after playing mostly midfield as a junior.
“I was looking to shoot less and play the ball more last year. “It just kind of happened this year. We’ve had more opportunities to score and I’ve just put some in the back of the net. And I’m still getting some assists.”
In assessing Johnson’s abilities, Lapointe feels he has the tenacity and physical attributes necessary to thrive up front.
“Very aggressive player and very physical and demanding of his body,” the coach said. “His shot is good, but I think the biggest thing is his pace on the ball. He has a lot of speed and a very strong shot, a strong foot as well. He has all types of highlights – bicycle kicks, anything you ask him to do, he has done it.”
Johnson is still getting used to a few things playing forward, but for the most part he has adapted well.
“I like playing up top but I don’t like standing around like you do up top,” he said. “You’re still running around a lot but I just want to go in for a tackle or something. But I’m getting better at putting the ball in the back of the net so if that’s where he feels I’m best, then that’s where I play.”
Due to his scoring exploits, Johnson has drawn some extra attention this season, getting double teamed on occasion.
“They call his number out most of the game,” Lapointe said. “He’s naturally a fiery guy, he gets frustrated sometimes but he plays hard regardless. He’s always gonna be fiery and passionate.”
Johnson admitted “It’s a lot more frustrating because a lot more people are stepping up higher and doubling me. You just have to believe in your ability and trust that all the training you’ve done will help in that situation.”
Being able to distribute does help, of course.
“It definitely relieves the pressure,” Johnson said. “They cut off most of the passing angles but when you do get that pass off, and you can check into the open space,it makes it a lot easier than having to sit around with the ball with two guys on you, trying to beat them both.”
Wherever he plays and whatever he accomplishes, one thing remains consistent with Johnson – he is a team leader.
“He leads by example,” Lapointe said. “Every day the effort is always there. He’s a guy that shows every day you come out and work hard and guys follow his example. When he leads my summer workout for the younger guys he shows a great work ethic, and shows you have to come out and work hard.”
Ethan will continue to work hard at soccer, although he is still unsure of his future plans.
“I don’t know if I want to go to college, I do want to see what opportunities I get,” he said. “I’d rather go to a trade school and keep practicing. There’s different pathways, like semi professional leagues. I can see if that works out. I have an idea what I want to do but nothing is set in stone yet.”
If he does become an electrician he already has some experience. He has become quite proficient at lighting up the scoreboard.
Hamilton High senior Ethan Johnson had 11 goals through Oct. 20. (Photo by Rich Fisher.),
