DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) – The St. Norbert women's hockey team earned the first NCAA Division III tournament win in program history this season, the same year it hired new assistant coach Ally Johnson. Coincidence? Probably. But Johnson's impact on the Green Knights this season was undeniable. "She 's been a huge reason why we are so successful this season," senior center Courtnie Hogan said of Johnson, who joined A.J. Aitken's staff as an assistant and the director of student-athlete experience. Johnson was both a resource for the Green Knights, and a source of laughter. Whether she was turning her hat backwards to "put the rally cap on" before a drill, or offering extra assistance after practice, Johnson's main focus was the athlete experience. "I just want to inspire passion in them and for them to continue to love the game too," Johnson said of her student athletes. Originally from Slinger, Johnson played five seasons at the University of Maine and earned 36 points. Following her college hockey career, Johnson played professionally in Sweden for a season. Head coach Aitken called Johnson a "great role model" for his Green Knights, who won the NCHA Slaats Cup and beat Gustavus Adolphus in the first round of the NCAA tournament. "She's almost like one of us - she brings the energy, but is lighthearted. At the same time she will really push you to be the best you can be," senior forward Kelsey Ross added. The Green Knight's season came to a close with a loss to Augsburg University on Saturday in the quarterfinals. But Johnson's coaching career at St. Norbert is just beginning. ...read more read less