CLARK, NJ- Three days after a second-half offensive outburst helped the Johnson Crusaders (12-4) varsity lacrosse team put away Holmdel HS 12-5 in the first round of their state tournament, they will make a trip down the Turnpike to take on Haddonfield Memorial HS (13-4) in the NJSIAA South, Group 1 Quarterfinals.
Johnson found themselves in a 3-1 deficit just seven seconds into the second quarter before outscoring Holmdel 8-2 to capture the victory on a hot and steamy afternoon on their home turf.
Haddonfield took out Verona 11-8 Wednesday afternoon and were tested, as they were tied 3-3 at halftime, before Haddonfield unloaded on offense to put the game away and punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.
The game will feature eight players who have scored 20+ goals so far this season. For Johnson, that includes freshman Evan Parenti (34 goals), junior Mike Bruno (28 goals), sophomore Brandon Hund (26 goals) and sophomore Eric Bretz (23 goals). The Crusaders are looking to continue their run for a state sectional championship. Seniors and co-captains Jon Duffy and Vin Campbell have been solid on defense all year long.
For Haddonfield, the key players include Will Batson (40 goals), Aiden Blake (39 goals), Alex Dean (29 goals) and Ben Nugent (23 goals).
Overall, we could very well see a high-scoring game between the two teams.
In goal, you have underclassmen stealing the show. Johnson sophomore Josh Hill made 197 saves all year round and has been the reason why opposing team’s offenses have been stopped in front and prevented from scoring. For Haddonfield, freshman Will Graminga has stopped 135 shots on the season.
Johnson, whose losses this year have come to Robbinsville, New Providence, Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Summit (UCT Semifinals) have managed to turn everything around, winning the Kimber Division and winning their first state tournament game since 2014, when they won the South, Group 1 State Sectional Final.
Haddonfield’s losses this year have come to Seneca, Lenape, St. Augustine and Shawnee.
This game may see a late goal or a late defensive stop made, given the offensive firepower displayed by both teams throughout the entire 2017 season.
The team who wins is going to have to stay hot on offense and be able to slow down the opposition in their goals, since we could see ourselves a high-scoring affair.
Game time is Saturday at 11:00 AM down in Haddonfield, New Jersey.
First-Round Scores for the NJSIAA South, Group 1 bracket from Wednesday, May 17:
(1) Delaware Valley 16, (16) Haddon Township 8
(2) Madison 17, (15) Lower Cape May 1
(3) Caldwell 15, (14) Cinnaminson 2
(4) Haddonfield Memorial 11, (13) Verona 8
(5) Johnson 12, (12) Holmdel 5
(6) Bernards 18, (11) Shore 5
(10) West Deptford 6, (7) Glen Ridge 5 (Final/OT)
(9) New Providence 18, (8) New Egypt 6
Quarterfinals Matchups for the NJSIAA South, Group 1 bracket for Saturday, May 20:
(9) New Providence at (1) Delaware Valley
(5) Johnson at (4) Haddonfield Memorial
(10) West Deptford at (2) Madison
(6) Bernards at (3) Caldwell
