“Dominating the Field and Navigating Team Travel: Insights from Lacrosse All-Star Amanda Johansen”
I’m thrilled to have the incredible Amanda Johansen on the show today. Amanda isn’t just a standout professional lacrosse player and college coach; she’s a trailblazer who made history as the first woman to score a goal for the University of Southern California’s lacrosse program. Hailing from the vibrant lacrosse community of Baltimore, Amanda’s journey is one of dedication, success, and the pursuit of excellence.
In this episode, we dive into the exhilarating world of women’s lacrosse through Amanda’s eyes. But it’s not just about the game—it’s about the challenges, triumphs, and camaraderie that come with being part of a team that travels extensively for competitions. Amanda takes us behind the scenes, revealing the unique dynamics of traveling with a group of athletes, each with their own goals and aspirations.
“Traveling is tough as a big group. You feel like you’re responsible for a lot of people. You want everything to go well. I had this big binder that I had to take on every trip. You have to be super organized and ready”. ~ Amanda Johansen on team travel as a coach
But it’s not just about the logistics—it’s about the bond that forms among teammates on these journeys. Through Amanda’s words, we glimpse into the sense of unity that emerges when athletes are away from home, leaning on each other for support and motivation. The anecdotes she shares from her travels enrich the narrative, painting a vivid picture of determination, perseverance, and the joy of triumphing together.
Our conversation transcends the playing field as we explore the broader landscape of women’s lacrosse. Amanda’s insight into the sport’s growth on the West Coast provides a glimpse into the exciting future that lies ahead. We discuss the challenges and opportunities that the Covid-19 lockdown presented to her professional team’s season, as well as its impact on the Hofstra team and its seniors. Amanda’s perspective highlights the resilience of athletes and the unwavering spirit that fuels their pursuits.
Before we wrap up, Amanda encourages us to connect with her on social media, where she continues to inspire and share her journey. And if you’re new to the world of women’s lacrosse, she invites you to witness the excitement of a game firsthand and join the ranks of passionate fans.
So, whether you’re a lacrosse enthusiast, a sports aficionado, or simply someone who appreciates stories of triumph against all odds, this episode promises to captivate your imagination and offer insights that resonate far beyond the field. Join us as we step into Amanda Johansen’s world of dedication, travel, and the pursuit of greatness.
Connect with Amanda Johansen on social media:
SUBSCRIBE
You can subscribe to The Travel Wins Podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Podnews, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, and Amazon.
Intro song “Road Trip” by Robin Tricker
ABOUT
Amanda Johansen just completed her second season with the Hofstra Women’s Lacrosse program in 2020. Johansen serves as the program’s defensive coordinator and oversees the draw team as well.
In Johansen’s first season with the Pride she helped the team to a 12-win campaign and a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship Game. The 12 wins were the most since 2010 and the appearance in the championship game was the first for Hofstra since 2013.
The 2020 season saw Hofstra compile a 4-3 record in the shortened season.
Johansen spent the 2018 season as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California. While with the Women of Troy she helped guide USC to a 10-win campaign and assisted in the development of five student-athletes earning all-conference honors from the Pac-12 and three earning IWLCA All-Region accolades. Johansen served as the offensive coordinator for USC and help lead a unit that averaged 12 goals per game.
Prior to working at USC, Johansen spent a season as a graduate assistant coach at Mount St. Mary’s. She served as the program’s defensive coordinator at Mount St. Mary’s and also oversaw much of the planning as it related to team travel.
Johansen was a decorated student-athlete at USC as she compiled 194 points on 134 goals and 60 assists during her 77-game career with the Women of Troy. She also had 258 draw controls. The 2013 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Rookie of the Year and a Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Third Team All-American as a senior, she was a team captain in 2015 and 2016 and was an integral part of USC’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and run to the NCAA Quarterfinals as a senior in 2016.
Johansen has also played professionally as she played two seasons with the Baltimore Ride of the United Women’s Lacrosse League and most recently is a member of the Baltimore Brave of the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League. This past summer she captured the WPLL title with the Brave and was also named to the All-Star team. In addition, Johansen is a member of the U.S. National Team Training Team.
Johansen, who graduated from USC in 2016, earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and also received a minor in sports media studies. She earned her master’s degree in sports management from Mount St. Mary’s in 2017. She is working towards her second master’s degree, in sports science, from Hofstra.
