Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Johnson Earns Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Week Honors
11/11/2025 2:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Scored first career goal in Wildcats’ 2-1 win over Ohio State last Friday
EVANSTON, Ill. (November 11, 2025) – Following a week in which he scored his first career goal, Northwestern University first-year Andrew Johnson (Lee's Summit, Mo./Pembroke Hill School) has been named the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday.
This marks the second weekly league honor of Johnson's young career after being tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Week on October 14. He is the second Wildcat this season to bring home the conference's top weekly defensive honor, joining Fritz Volmar (Aug. 26).
Johnson capped off his first-year campaign with a pair of 90-minute efforts in matchups with Wisconsin and Ohio State. In last Friday's clash with the Buckeyes, the 5-foot-11 defender put Northwestern back on level terms in the 59th minute, finishing from close range to spark a 2-1 come-from-behind victory.
Last week's showings closed an outstanding debut season for Johnson in Evanston. The Lee's Summit, Mo. native was a fixture along the backline for head coach Russell Payne's team, starting in 16 of his 17 appearances while playing a full 90 minutes on 12 occasions. In addition to his aforementioned goal, Johnson dished out assists in wins over UC Riverside and Rutgers.
AJ ??
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) November 11, 2025
After logging a pair of 90-minute efforts and scoring his first career goal, Andrew Johnson has been named the @B1GSoccer Defensive Player of the Week!
?? https://t.co/ULZKffK2wy pic.twitter.com/xhiEcrOcsJ
This marks the second weekly league honor of Johnson's young career after being tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Week on October 14. He is the second Wildcat this season to bring home the conference's top weekly defensive honor, joining Fritz Volmar (Aug. 26).
Johnson capped off his first-year campaign with a pair of 90-minute efforts in matchups with Wisconsin and Ohio State. In last Friday's clash with the Buckeyes, the 5-foot-11 defender put Northwestern back on level terms in the 59th minute, finishing from close range to spark a 2-1 come-from-behind victory.
Last week's showings closed an outstanding debut season for Johnson in Evanston. The Lee's Summit, Mo. native was a fixture along the backline for head coach Russell Payne's team, starting in 16 of his 17 appearances while playing a full 90 minutes on 12 occasions. In addition to his aforementioned goal, Johnson dished out assists in wins over UC Riverside and Rutgers.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerMen's Soccer - Johnson, O’Reilly Power ‘Cats Past Ohio State In 2025 Finale, 2-1 (11/7/25)
Saturday, November 08
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Knock off No. 17 Hoosiers, 2-0 (10/31/25)
Saturday, November 01
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Blank Evansville In Non-Conference Finale, 1-0 (10/7/25)
Wednesday, October 08
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Earn Gutsy 2-1 Win Over Rutgers (9/19/25)
Saturday, September 20
