GIRLS' SOCCER NOTEBOOK: JOHNSON HEADING TO CAMP.

Byline: ERIK BOAL Special to the Daily News

Just when Samantha Johnson started to get back into a rhythm as a member of the Highland of Palmdale girls' soccer team, the sophomore standout learned Wednesday she will miss the Bulldogs' next three games.

But unlike the first time she was away, when she missed the first 11 games because of an avulsion fracture in her pelvis, this brief hiatus was good news for Johnson.

After competing with the U.S. Under-15 girls' national team last year, Johnson will participate in her first training camp as a member of the Under-16 national team, beginning Sunday at Home Depot Center in Carson.

``I feel pretty good,'' Johnson said. ``I think I showed well at all the camps (last year) and played consistent throughout and I'm very happy to have this opportunity.''

Johnson will be put through training sessions that she estimates will amount to five hours of soccer per day.

``It's something that I've gotten used to last year with (Mexican Under-20 national teamer Janet Mendez) and will continue to deal with when it comes to Sammy,'' Highland coach Juan Paolo said.

Record pursuit: Hart of Newhall's Sarina Coutin could become the program's all-time leading scorer today when the Indians play at 5p.m. at Valencia.

Coutin scored her 16th goal of the season and 74th of her career in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over Saugus, moving her into a tie with Erin Misaki (1995-99) for the record.

``I just take it as it comes and I try not to think about it,'' Coutin said.

Zeroing in: The Sylmar girls' soccer team extended its area-leading winning streak to 15 in a row Thursday with a 2-0 victory over Kennedy of Granada Hills.

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