It was a crazy summer of soccer for Mercer Islander Naomi Johnson, said her mother, Shelly.

The 14-year-old booter’s time on the pitch included an August of prestigious tournaments, including the Surf Cup in San Diego and then the topper, the Caribbean Football Union Girls U14 Challenge Series in Antigua.

Naomi played for team Puerto Rico at the international tourney and helped her squad notch the Tier I championship by a 5-0 score over Aruba on Aug. 27 at the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s Centre in St John’s.

While Naomi competed for her U15 Eastside FC team at Surf Cup, the family sent her highlight reel to the Puerto Rican Football Federation as members were interested in possibly including Naomi on their U14 squad. Since her father, Jaymee, is half Puerto Rican, Naomi was taken into consideration to join up. She passed the “tryout” and was invited to play in Antigua.

The tourney occurred from Aug. 19-27, and the Puerto Rican squad compiled a 6-0 record and outscored its opponents, 28-0. Naomi scored twice from her striker position and dished off one assist during the competition.

Naomi played a vital role in Puerto Rico’s historic run to attain its first international soccer championship.

“It was a really big deal,” said Naomi, who added that after her team won its initial two matches against top-notch opponents, the girls realized that they could soon be clutching the first-place trophy. “Everybody locked in, we were focused, but we were also just having a good time.”

Naomi began her soccer journey eight years ago with Mercer Island FC (MIFC) micro soccer, and then played in the club’s rec, juniors and select realms before linking up with Eastside FC two years ago. The Mercer Island High School freshman will play for the school this season.

Despite experiencing a language barrier at times with her Puerto Rican team, which featured players from the United States and Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican players, Naomi soon overcame some uncomfortable initial days and became one with the squad.

“Our team really bonded and came together. We all respected each other and fought for each other,” she said.

The matches were intense and she learned a new style of playing her position by making diagonal runs and collecting passes as opposed to her usual receive-and-distribute tactics.

“It’s kind of teaching me how to go into things with more of an open mind and try new things,” she said.

Added Shelly about Naomi’s invaluable learned experiences on and off the pitch and entering a new situation: “I think she handled it like a champ. I think that for any 14-year-old girl it would be challenging, and then throw in a language barrier. I think that it will be something that she looks back on and is super proud of.”

Off the pitch, the family’s sightseeing adventures in Antigua included stops at English Harbor, Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights and Betty’s Hope.

Naomi Johnson, second player from the right in the back row, stands with her Puerto Rican team at the Caribbean Football Union Girls U14 Challenge Series in Antigua in August. Courtesy photo