Tatum Johnson Makes Return from Injury for Sixth Season

By David Delgado (JRN 418)
For MSUSpartans.com

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- After a year on the sidelines, Tatum Johnson is finally back where she belongs—on the field. The sixth-year graduate student brings scoring experience, mental toughness, and a renewed perspective to a Michigan State field hockey team determined to return to the Big Ten tournament.

Johnson joined the Spartans, ahead of the 2024 season, using her final season of eligibility to transfer from La Salle. Her move to MSU was driven by ambition and opportunity, and the chance to compete in one of the nation's toughest conferences.

"Definitely that it was a big school and an opportunity that I could play in the Big Ten, I didn't want to pass that up. The beautiful facilities and everything, that's something I didn't have at La Salle. And also just better competition overall," Johnson said.

A connection with former Spartan Celina Riccardo, who linked her with Head Coach Helen Knull, sealed the deal. Johnson arrived in East Lansing with an impressive résumé: 35 goals and three Atlantic 10 all-conference honors.

But her journey took a dramatic turn in June 2024 when her right knee gave out during a preseason drill.

"It was when I was at practice, I was leading toward a ball and I just stepped weird and it just cracked," she recalled.

The ACL tear, requiring a patellar tendon auto-graft and a nine-month recovery, sidelined her entire first season at MSU.

"I've never been injured before, so it was tough having to sit out, coming to practice every single day and not playing. But obviously now I'm feeling so happy that I went through that recovery and decided to come back and play," Johnson said.

The recovery was grueling. Her knee wouldn't bend at first, and later, patellar tendonitis slowed progress. At times, she even thought about walking away.

"When I got hurt my initial thoughts were like, 'What am I going to do now?' Because I already graduated, technically I didn't have to come and do my fifth year…am I going to still do the fifth year?" Johnson said.

Ultimately, she chose to return, a decision she now calls rewarding. She will complete her master's in marketing this December and intends to pursue a career in sports marketing, so this is her field hockey finale.

Tatum Johnson, field hockey, action, 2025

Support from teammates and MSU's training staff helped her stay connected during rehab.

"They were just always asking how I was. Little check-ins helped. It helped me stay positive and feel relevant… I felt super welcomed from the start," she said.

Now back on the field, Johnson feels renewed and ready.

"It feels great to be back. It feels like I forget that I wasn't even playing last year at this point… It feels great," she said.

Though she still wears a brace for security and manages postgame soreness with cold tubs and icing, she says she feels unhindered.

Senior midfielder and roommate Maddie Lawlor has seen Johnson's determination up close.

"It's been nice to see her really putting a lot of energy, time, and effort into her recovery. She's a great player. Obviously her knee is still an issue, she still has her big brace on, but she's worked really hard to get where she is," Lawlor said.

The coaching staff also looks to Johnson's scoring pedigree as a key piece of the offense.

"They always tell me they want me in the circle as much as possible because I have a track record of scoring. And I have a big role in corners as well," Johnson said.

After leading the A-10 with 14 goals as a junior at La Salle, her early MSU stats — two assists and one goal — show a shift in role.

"I'm more of a passer here. At La Salle they relied on me to score, but here I'm happy if others are scoring," she explained.

That adjustment has been matched by her growing chemistry with Lawlor.

"I feel like it's just every day we're getting used to how each other plays and how we can work for each other. A big thing about this game is not being selfish. Not one person's going to win the game for us. It's a whole team effort," Lawlor said.

Players Mentioned

Tatum Johnson

Maddie Lawlor

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