CLARK, NJ- The Johnson Varsity Lacrosse team will begin their quest at a state sectional championship when they take the field on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. against Holmdel HS. They achieved their first goal, clinching the Kimber Division with a 4-3 win at Livingston High School on Wednesday, May 10, 2017.
They enter as the No. 5 seed in the NJSIAA South, Group 1 State Playoff Bracket, behind Delaware Valley, Madison, Caldwell and Haddonfield.
Last year, the Crusaders lost in the first round to Glen Ridge High School by a final score of 10-6, something the Crusaders hope having a tougher schedule can fuel their drive to compete to the championship rounds in the state tournament.
The lacrosse team’s main strength at the beginning of the season was their offense, which has shown throughout the entire season.
Offensive production has been evident in players such as freshman Evan Parenti (29 goals, 16 assists), junior Mike Bruno (26 goals, 15 assists), sophomore Brandon Hund, a commit to Air Force Academy (25 goals, 19 assists), sophomore Eric Bretz (22 goals, 29 assists), senior Nick Fischetti (15 goals, nine assists) and senior Brett Roessle (ten goals, one assist).
They’re averaging around 9.1 goals per game, scoring a total of 136 goals in the 15 games played this season.
This also included a winning streak from April 13 to May 4, when they lost the Union County Tournament Semifinals to Summit High School (ranked No. 5 in the state of New Jersey).
This also includes a core of defenders in seniors and co-captains Jon Duffy and Vin Campbell, who signed to play Division II lacrosse at Mercy College. The two were starters on the 2014 NJSIAA South, Group 1 State Sectional Championship roster, which will be key for a Crusaders team that made first-round exits in 2015 to Barnegat High School and last year to Glen Ridge High School.
Head coach Lou Van Bergen (67-80 personal record through the regular season) says the preparation included a tough schedule and testing themselves through good practices, battling for the loose balls and cashing in on scoring opportunities and trying to get after teams when they try and build pressure.
Johnson lacrosse will win and go far IF: Their offense continues, they’ve played in close games, but need to continue tightening down on defense. With a Shore Conference opponent coming in, it will be extra important to do so, as a lot of the stronger sports programs come within that area. Usually, strong quarters will always stand out in games, which the Crusaders have cashed in with.
A win in the first round could mean either a home game against No. 13-seeded Verona High School, a team they handled well on April 20, 2017 in an 18-6 victory, or a trip down to play No. 4-seeded Haddonfield High School, who holds a current 12-4 record entering stage tournament play. Tougher opponents mean the Crusaders will have to be on top of their game, which has shown throughout the regular season, meaning the time for action is now, with an 11-4 record in regular season play.
Overall, the Johnson varsity lacrosse team has a chance to compete, but will need to buckle down and be able to go through every part of the competition to get themselves a chance to go in the championship games.
