CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders varsity field hockey team was ranked No. 20 in the state of New Jersey (on the Star-Ledger and NJ.com) for the 2017 season as of Monday, September 18, 2017.
The Crusaders defeated Kent Place HS (ranked No. 13 on NJ.com last week, fell out of the Top 20) by a final score of 2-0 Saturday morning in Summit. The two teams were meeting for the first time since the 2016 Union County Tournament Semifinals, where Kent Place defeated Johnson 2-0.
They are currently 4-0 on the season, with wins coming against Hillsborough, Cranford, Governor Livingston and Kent Place.
Johnson is a team that lost starters Katie Prestinari (playing Division III field hockey at Montclair State University) and Larissa Vena to graduation, but managing to fill the holes with players who are ready to compete in each game.
Johnson’s leaders on the season in the categories include sophomore Emma Hilton and junior Kaylee Parkhill each sharing the team’s lead in points on the season with seven points (three goals, four assists).
Senior and co-captain Amy Wysocki and senior Danielle Nugent each have tallied three goals, while senior Shelby Lynes has tallied two goals to go along with one assist.
Junior Alyssa Colicchio has one goal to go along with two assists in the early weeks of the season for the Crusaders, who appear to be looking like the program was during the span of 2008-2011, when they won sectional championships in 2008, 2010 and 2011, along with a county championship in 2009.
Senior co-captain and goaltender Emma Francisco has looked superb in net for the Crusaders, making 26 saves on 28 shots that have come her way this season.
Another credit to why the Johnson Crusaders varsity field hockey team is considered in the Top 20 of the state is the unstoppable defense.
On the defensive side of the game, the Crusaders defense features players such as junior mid Amanda Zambrana, senior back and co-captain Jessica Lopez, sophomore back Heidi Compton, sophomore mid Taylor Turek (younger sister of Johnson senior fullback and football co-captain Joe Turek) and senior mid-back and co-captain Amy Wysocki as they locked out the opposition from reaching the back of the net.
The defense stands out as another major reason for the team’s success. The Crusaders have scored 16 goals on the 2017 season, while only surrendering two goals during their early surge to the season.
Johnson takes on Oak Knoll HS (ranked No. 3 on NJ.com) Monday afternoon at 4:00 PM on the turf of Nolan Field in Clark, New Jersey.
Oak Knoll is one of the two major Union County field hockey powerhouse programs, so this is a result to watch closely as the afternoon rolls along.
