Johnson’s one-goal field hockey victory over Voorhees on Saturday night may not have been as dramatic as last season’s, but it was equally as rewarding.
“I think it was the best game we’ve played all year,” said Johnson head coach Katrina Anderson. “And to play your best at this time of the season is something you always want as a coach.”
Johnson (18-4) rode a first-half goal by Amanda Wnorowski and a four-save effort by goalie Becky Brattole to a 1-0 decision over Voorhees in the semifinal round of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 tournament in Clark.
“It was real physical game and we were able to score with around 11 to 12 minutes left in the half,” Anderson said. “We had a lot of opportunities but their goalie (Kim Pianucci, who had 14 saves) played very well.”
Brattole, a senior, now owns 13 shutouts this fall, one more than she had last year.
A year ago, Johnson defeated Voorhees, 2-1, in double overtime in the sectional final in a game that took two days to complete because of rain. Voorhees defeated Johnson, 1-0, in the sectional quarters in 2009.
The Lady Crusaders will now play host to Rumson on Tuesday for the sectional championship at a time to be determined.
The Voorhees game was the second straight one-goal decision for Johnson in state tournament play.
On Wednesday, Johnson defeated county rival Summit, 1-0, in a sectional quarterfinal.
Margaret Sinnicke poked in a pass from Michelle Pozyc just 2:15 into the second half. Brattole notched the shutout with eight saves.
“We hadn’t faced them this year and they definitely played really well,” said Anderson of Summit. “They did a good job defensively of keeping Nicole (Imbriaco) in check and keeping play between the 50 and 25.”
If Johnson gets past Rumson, the sectional title would be the school’s second straight and third in the last four years. A rematch with state power West Essex would likely loom in the Group 2 semifinal round later this week.
Johnson suffered a 2-0 loss to west Essex in the 2008 group semis and bowed 5-2 in the same round last year. The teams met earlier this season with West Essex earning a 7-0 decision.
“Rumson is in the Shore Conference and they have a number of strong teams,” said Anderson. “We know that they’re very quick.”
A victory by Johnson would give Imbriaco, a senior, a championship in every year of her varsity career. In addition to winning sectional crowns her freshman and junior years, Imbriaco was a part of the 2009 club that won garnered the school’s first Union County Tournament championship with a victory over Oak Knoll.
Imbriaco, who gave a verbal commitment to Rutgers, leads Johnson with 30 goals and 20 assists.
“I know that the seniors want to win badly,” said Anderson. “They’ve all elevated their game in the post-season and all want to do their very best.”
