Jasmine and Jessica Johnson grew up in Los Angeles, playing one-on-one soccer in their backyard. Jessica would play offense, pulling moves and trying to score on Jasmine. Jasmine would occasionally push Jessica into the bushes.
The two sisters played at different high schools: Jessica at Notre Dame Academy and Jasmine at Windward School. But this fall, they are together at school and on the soccer field. Jasmine is a sophomore defender on the Missouri squad, and Jessica is a freshman attacker.
Jasmine chose Mizzou in 2013. Before she committed, she didn’t think she would end up in Missouri, of all places. But she likes it as a nice change of pace from Los Angeles and loves the university’s sports facilities.
When asked if she recruited Jessica to Mizzou, she said confidently, “Yes. It was all me.”
Jessica joining Jasmine at Mizzou meant they would once again share the same soccer friends. The sisters played club soccer together for the Westside Breakers before Jasmine left for college.
“It’s a little weird, to be honest, but I love having her here,” Jasmine said. “It’s like someone you’ve known for your whole life is on the team, and she’s also your best friend.”
Jessica said having a familiar face on campus and on the soccer pitch has helped the transition from high school to college. She said Jasmine has helped her a lot with meeting new people and has shared advice on playing college soccer. Jasmine visits Jessica’s dorm at least once a week to hang out, and Jessica will come to Jasmine’s apartment to do the same.
“It’s a great support for me to have her here,” Jessica said. “Whenever I’m struggling I can always come to her for help and support, and she makes it more comfortable to play and be with the team. It’s great. I love it. She makes it more like home.”
But home for the Johnson sisters is about more than just soccer.
The two were very playful growing up and constantly teasing each other. Jasmine remembers playing tag inside the house with Jessica. Jasmine ran outside, closed the screen door and Jessica ran into it, shattering the door with her head. Jasmine laughed while recalling the memory.
But Jessica said they are always looking out for one another. When they were both in high school, the sister’s schools faced each other once in soccer. But while Jasmine was on the field playing defense for Windward, Jessica was on the sidelines with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
“Seeing her come back from that and her recovery — how much she wanted to be on the field when she couldn’t be — was inspiring,” Jasmine said. “It’s been great watching her mature into a college soccer player.”
Missouri coach Bryan Blitz described Jasmine as bubbly and Jessica as quiet.
Jasmine enjoys playing with Jessica’s familiar playing style and is thankful that they are on the same college team.
“It means a lot,” Jasmine said. “We grew up playing the same sport, and we would work our butts off during the summer when we were off. We helped each other get to where we are today. It means a lot to me that she’s here.”