West Liberty, W.Va. – Helping build a program from the ground up is no easy task, but Janice Johnson embraced the challenge and helped lay the foundation for West Liberty University's women's soccer program. More than a decade later, the former Hilltopper captain continues to influence the game on multiple levels, from coaching elite youth players to identifying future U.S. National Team prospects.

Johnson arrived at West Liberty in 2012 during the early years of the women's soccer program and quickly emerged as one of its leaders. Over three seasons, she started all 52 matches she played while serving as team captain, helping establish the culture and identity of a young program. A three-time All-Mountain East Conference selection, Johnson totaled five goals, five assists and 15 points during her career before earning All-Region honors as a senior in 2015.

Her impact extended beyond the Hilltop. Johnson's collegiate success helped open the door to the international stage. Holding dual citizenship in the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, the Greenbelt, Maryland, native earned her first senior international cap for Trinidad and Tobago in December 2015 when she faced the United States at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Representing a national team marked another milestone in a soccer career that began at West Liberty and continued well beyond graduation.

Following her playing career, Johnson turned her passion for the sport into a profession. Today, she serves as the Girls Director of Soccer at Coppermine SC in Baltimore, Maryland, overseeing the club's entire girls pathway. Coppermine's girls compete in the prestigious Girls Academy, while the boys program participates in MLS NEXT. In addition to leading player development within one of the nation's premier youth clubs, Johnson serves as an iD2 Scout with US Club Soccer and a Talent Reporter with U.S. Soccer, helping identify players with Youth National Team potential.

Despite her accomplishments on the international stage and in the coaching profession, Johnson says her time at West Liberty remains one of the most meaningful chapters of her journey. "Playing in the very first home game in school history," Johnson said when asked about her favorite Hilltopper memory. "It was a special moment to be part of building the program from the ground up, and knowing we were helping create something that future generations of Hilltoppers would experience made it even more meaningful."

Johnson also credits former head coach Barry Christmas and teammate Keiana Palmer for helping shape her collegiate experience. "Coach Barry Christmas had a tremendous influence on my growth, challenging me to become a better player and person while setting high standards for the program," Johnson said. "My teammate Keiana Palmer also had a lasting impact through her leadership, competitiveness and the friendships we built. Both helped make my time at West Liberty an unforgettable experience."

Today, as she mentors the next generation of players, Johnson continues to carry the lessons she learned on the Hilltop. "West Liberty will always be a place that helped shape who I am, both personally and professionally," Johnson said. "It gave me lifelong friendships, mentors who believed in me, and experiences that prepared me for a career in soccer. Being an alum means carrying those values forward, representing the university with pride, and remembering where part of my journey began."
  Q&A with Janice Johnson

What is your favorite memory from your time at West Liberty?
"Playing in the very first home game in school history. It was a special moment to be part of building the program from the ground up, and knowing we were helping create something that future generations of Hilltoppers would experience made it even more meaningful."

Who had the biggest influence on you during your time at West Liberty?
"Coach Barry Christmas had a tremendous influence on my growth, challenging me to become a better player and person while setting high standards for the program. My teammate Keiana Palmer also had a lasting impact through her leadership, competitiveness and the friendships we built. Both helped make my time at West Liberty an unforgettable experience."

What does it mean to be a West Liberty alumna?
"West Liberty will always be a place that helped shape who I am, both personally and professionally. It gave me lifelong friendships, mentors who believed in me, and experiences that prepared me for a career in soccer. Being an alum means carrying those values forward, representing the university with pride, and remembering where part of my journey began."

What advice would you give current West Liberty student-athletes?
"Take advantage of every opportunity, even the ones that seem small at the time. The relationships you build with your teammates, coaches, professors and classmates will often have the biggest impact on your future. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone, ask questions and embrace challenges—they're the moments that help you grow the most. Success isn't always about talent; it's about consistency, resilience and the willingness to keep learning."
 



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.