Johnson sets Highland’s career scoring record
Inclement weather allowed Highland of Palmdale and Littlerock to play only 33 minutes Thursday night in their Golden League girls’ soccer showdown, won 4-0 by the host Bulldogs.
Fortunately for Samantha Johnson, she needed less than 60 seconds to break the program record for goals.
After receiving a long pass from Ana Perez, Johnson fired a 6-yard shot from the left side, resulting in her 72nd career goal. That moved her past Sahar Haghdan (2001-05) — now at Long Beach State — for the top spot on the Bulldogs’ list.
"She just shrugged her shoulders and kept on playing," Highland coach Juan Paolo said. "If she wasn’t pass-first, she’d have 90 by now. What’s impressed me most is that she’s done it with a pass-first attitude all the time. She’s just an amazing player."
Johnson, who added two assists, recorded her 22nd goal of the season and 73rd of her career during a 13-minute second half that was called by the officials as rain hampered play on Highland's field. The USC-bound junior had a chance for a hat trick, but missed a penalty shot by six inches.
"(The record) isn’t that big of a deal to her. She's more concerned with helping us win games," Paolo said. "She told me that it will mean something when she gets to 100. Until then, she said 'Tonight was just another two goals.' "
Quartz Hill (12-4-1, 8-1) atoned for an earlier loss to Lancaster by defeating the Eagles 1-0 to remain in a first-place tie with Highland (11-4-2, 8-1). Stephanie Galarze, who recently returned from an ACL injury, scored off an assist from Alexa Hale for the Rebels.