AMHERST, Mass. -- Senior defender Ella Johnson (Seattle, Wash.) was named to the 2025 United Soccer Coaches (USC) Scholar All-America First Team, as announced by the organization recently.

To be named a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American, a student-athlete must meet the following criteria: 3.30 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) (on a 4.0 scale) or better throughout career; start more than 50 percent of all games and significantly contribute to their team; be nominated by a head coach of current United Soccer Coaches College Service member institution; and be a junior or above in academic standing, and if a transfer student, be in second year at school.

An Asian Languages/Civilizations,Sexuality, Women's and Gender Studies double major with a 3.89 GPA,  Johnson earned a first-team nod after what was arguably her best season as a Mammoth.

The lockdown defender led all Amherst field players with an astounding 1543 minutes this season, playing all 90 minutes in all but 2 games, and contributed on the offensive side of the ball with an assist against Bates on Sept. 27. Her defensive presence was felt across the back line, beginning the season as a consistent threat at the outside back spot before moving into the center back position later in the year. She led a Mammoth back line that allowed just 13 goals in 18 games and recorded 8 shutouts.

Of Johnson, Mammoths Head Coach Jen Hughes said, "LJ is incredibly talented, a relentlessly hard worker, and an exceptional leader and teammate. She is very deserving of this award, and it is always such an honor for our players to be recognized.  Everyone on this team works hard day in and day out to push each other to be their best, and this award is a testament to that - our team's community, culture, and work rate."

Previously she was named a USC Second Team All-American. Her 2025 All-American selection was the first of Johnson's illustrious Amherst career, and follows her second consecutive USC All-Region and All-NESCAC honors accorded earlier this season.

The Mammoths finished the 2025 season with a 11-5-2 overall record, earned a top-4 seed in the NESCAC Tournament, and made NESCAC Quarterfinal and NCAA Round of 32 appearances.