CLARK, NJ – Arthur L. Johnson High School freshman Evan Parenti and sophomore Eric Bretz each recorded a hat trick as the Crusaders won the first round matchup of the Union County Tournament over the Governor Livingston High School Highlanders by a final score of 11-5 Friday afternoon.
The victory is the eighth in a row for the Crusaders, whose offense and strong play has carried them throughout the streak.
“What’s impressed me the most is how we’ve been able to share the ball on offense,” Johnson head coach Lou Van Bergen said. “One game, it might be more attack, the next, more midfield-orientated. Also, our defense has improved by communicating more and working as a team.”
“Our goalie, Josh Hill, has bailed us out more than a few games too,” Van Bergen added. “The winning team usually does the small things that lead to more possessions and more scoring chances. The biggest two things we’ve been better at in that category are turning the ball over less and getting more ground balls.”
From the start of the game, the Crusaders were in full control, keeping the ball in the Highlanders’ zone for almost the entire quarter. Bretz struck just 12 seconds into the game to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead. He would strike again with his second goal of the game at the 1:32-mark of the first quarter, making it a 2-0 Johnson lead.
Full Coverage of Johnson Lacrosse’s UCT First Round win over Governor Livingston HS
