Putting the ball in the cage was not a problem for the AL Johnson High School boys lacrosse team this season. The Crusader boys outscored opponents, 304-193, and finished their season with a 16-5 record.
Much of the Crusaders’ success came with the dominance of a very strong face-off specialist, who gave the attack force ample opportunities to discover the opponents’ vulnerabilities. Senior Joey Ortega won 393 of 524 face-offs for a 75 percent average. Additionally he led the team with 349 ground balls and also contributed four goals and five assists.
The Crusaders began with a bang, winning their first six games in a convincing manner. The only close game was a 14-13, overtime win over the Morristown Colonials. After experiencing their first loss to Parsippany Hills (13-8) the Crusaders edged Governor Livingston, 1211, then handled Hanover Park, 1610, and Old Bridge, 17-9. The New Providence Pioneers delivered a 138 setback to the Crusaders, who took it out in a big way over the Cranford Cougars, 24-13.
After a 17-7 win over Morristown-Beard, the Crusaders humbled Oratory Prep, 18-5, in the first round of the Union County Tournament but got stuck once again to the Pioneers, 13-10, in the next round. After bowing to the Columbia Cougars, 15-8, the Crusaders finished the regular season with three straight victories Hackettstown, Hillsborough, Dayton. The Crusaders topped Lower Cape May, 15-7, in the first round of the South Jersey, Group 1 Tournament but fell to Bernards, 21-3, in the next round. Bernards would go on to win the title and the Group 1 title.
Senior attacker Rob Tyra (All-Group 1 First Team) was an absolute terror to opponents. He led the team with 106 goals and 52 assists for 158 points and added 22 ground balls (GB). Sophomore Matt Robertazzi finished with 40 goals and 37 assists for 77 points and scooped 15 GB. Sophomore Lucas Spearnock finished with 29 goals, 22 assists, 51 points and seven GB. Sophomore Adrian Varona was second on the team with 44 goals and 29 assists for 73 points and scooped 11 GB.
Senior Julian Bencivegna recorded 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points and added 17 GB. Sophomore Jack Kalikas stuffed in 22 goals and dished out 18 assists for 40 points. He was second in GB with 98 and won 25 of 31 face-offs. SeniorJackForfafinishedwith17goals, eight assists and seven GB. Junior Xander Cistaro recorded 10 goals, four assists and 18 GB.
Senior defender Pat Cook scooped 56 GB and added three goals and an assist. Junior Connor Marczewski won 15 of 18 face-offs and added 13 GB, a goal and an assist. Sophomore Nic Carlucci had four goals and an assist. Freshman Danny Robertazzi had 81 GB and a goal. Junior Ryan Volmut (28 GB) and Eric Torres each scored once. Sophomore long stick middie Frankie Mentzel had 34 GB and Nick Cilento had 17.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jake Szarszewski recorded 207 saves and sophomore Brayden Severini made nine saves.
Tyra scored six or more goals in numerousgames.Hishighestgoalcount was eight against Hanover Park but his best offensive production was seven goals and seven assists against Old Bridge. He also had seven goals and four assists in the big win over Cranford and Ortega won 33 of 39 face-offs and scooped 26 GB. Ortega won 21 of 22 face-offsagainstMorristown-Beardand 24 of 26 in the UCT win over Oratory but he won all 27 face-offs in the win over Hackettstown.
The Crusaders graduate two dominant players but will return many fine contributors next year.
