CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson high school Crusaders varsity field hockey team was presented with a series of challenges at the start of the season.
Among those challenges featured being moved up to the Essex/Union Red Division (Oak Knoll, West Essex, Kent Place, Montclair, Summit), a tough out-of-conference schedule featuring opponents such as Delaware Valley, Newton, Blair Academy, Glen Ridge, Columbia, Pingry and Somerville and a lot of other things along the way.
The Crusaders have risen to the task throughout the season and in the process, secured the fourth seed in the upcoming state tournament, which begins next week.
Johnson head coach Katrina Poskay talks to her team during the timeout. Photo Credit: Daniel Collins“I believe that getting moved up to a higher division was actually a blessing because it pushed us to become a better team with all of the tougher competition we had,” Johnson senior co-captain Alyssa Colicchio said.
“We have worked hard all season and will continue to work hard throughout the state tournament in order to win.”
They took the field for one last tune-up against the Millburn High School Millers before beginning the preparation for the state tournament.
The Crusaders battled to a 2-2 tie with the Millers Thursday afternoon in Clark, but for a good portion of the afternoon, the score almost never got to where it was.
The Crusaders played a sluggish first half, one where the Millers appeared to rush towards the net almost every single minute of the first half.
With about eight minutes left in the second half, the Crusaders began to turn the tide. Senior co-captain Kaylee Parkhill sent home a shot to cut the Millburn lead to 2-1 at 22:02 of the second half. It was Parkhill’s 11th goal of the season.
There was a notable change of pace in the game between the Crusaders and Millers following Parkhill’s goal, something everybody took notice of in the minutes that followed.
Arthur L. Johnson High School senior co-captain Kaylee Parkhill got her team within 2-1 at 22:02 of the second half. Her goal was seen as shifting momentum in the game. Photo Credit: Daniel Collins“The sudden change of momentum pushed everyone to play hard in order to win,” Colicchio said. “We need to start the game off with that momentum so that we can accomplish more throughout.”
Johnson continued gaining momentum of the Russians and with the final minutes of the second half approaching, it was a defender who directed home the game-tying goal.
Junior Taylor Turek got control of the rebound and fired it home with 1:09 left in the second half, tying the game at 2-2. She was subsequently surrounded by a group of excited teammates after a day where the team struggled to get a lot going.
Arthur L. Johnson High School junior Taylor Turek tied the game with 1:09 left in the second half. It was her first career varsity field hockey goal. Photo Credit: Daniel Collins“It felt great. I was happy that I was able to help our team,” Turek said.
Johnson narrowly completed the come back. On a corner, it appeared Junior Emma Hilton head herself the game-winning, comeback-completing goal, but it was waved off by the officials, claiming the ball didn’t leave the circle first.
Arthur L. Johnson High School junior Emma Hilton had the potential game-winning goal in overtime, but it was waved off by the officials. Photo Credit: Daniel CollinsThe final minute ticked off the clock in the game ended in a tie.
The Johnson Crusaders (11-3-2) will host the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 first round against Keyport HS Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Photo Credit: Daniel CollinsMeaghan Boehm powered Millburn with scoring both goals, The first one after a great pressure and the second one off a corner in the second half.
The Johnson Crusaders (11-3-2) will open up the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 First Round with a home game against Keyport HS Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
The Millburn Millers (8-6-2) return home to take on Newark Academy HS Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
