Prep athletes of the week: Goal-stopping skills work well in two sports for Eden Prairie's Johnson

Hockey might be her passion, but Johnson is just as dedicated in lacrosse.

"Nothing compares to hockey," she said. "But I love playing lacrosse. It's great to be a part of such a successful team."

Her skills were on display last week. In a sport where the best goalies stop about 60 percent of the shots they face, Johnson made 27 saves on 38 shots — a .711 save percentage — as the No. 1-ranked Eagles downed No. 4 Minnetonka 7-6 and No. 10 Cretin-Derham Hall 19-5.

Even more impressive was how Johnson stonewalled the Raiders on eight-meter free shots (the equivalent to a soccer penalty kick), stopping all six attempts she faced.

"[That's] an unmatched statistic," Eden Prairie co-head coach Judy Baxter said in an e-mail.

Like all good goalies, Johnson was quick to credit the players in front of her for her success.

"We have a great defense," she said. "Everyone contributes."

The No. 2 seed in singles in the badminton state tournament, Her concluded her senior season in style. She won the singles state championship by defeating Raven Klein of Burnsville 21-16, 21-16. She also paced the Governors to their fourth consecutive team state championship.

The junior pitcher had her way with White Bear Lake in a doubleheader last week, pitching a no-hitter in a 4-0 victory in the first game and following with a 15-strikeout effort in a 2-1 victory in the nightcap. She is 8-4 with a 1.72 ERA this season.

The junior outfielder/pitcher was a force at the plate, helping the Minutemen clinch their first Minnesota River Conference title since 1984. She was 12-for-17 with four home runs, four doubles, a triple, 23 RBI and a 1.764 slugging percentage.

Last Tuesday was a record-setting day for the sophomore sprinter. Heating up to match the 90-plus-degree temperatures, Sirleaf won four events at a Classic Suburban Triangular. He placed first in the 100 (10.9 seconds), 200 (22.5) and 400 (51.3) and set a school record in the long jump (22 feet, 5.5 inches).

The Rangers won six of seven games last week with Dresel, a senior, providing much of the offense. He had 16 hits in 25 at-bats (.640) with seven doubles, two triples, a homer, nine RBI and 10 runs scored.