Watch video of the dramatic conclusion of the state semifinals
A.L. Johnson scored two goals six seconds apart in the final minute to score a come from behind 10-9 win over Rumson-Fair Haven in the South Jersey Group I Final. Rumson-Fair Haven controlled the first quarter, leading 4-0, but Johnson closed the gap to 6-4 at the half. In the third quarter, Dominic Padula’s second goal gave RFH a 7-5 advantage. In the closing seconds of the third, Chris Sutphen scored with 12 seconds left on a great individual move to give the Bulldogs a 8-6 advantage. Sutphen would tally his third goal of the contest 1:05 into the fourth, but it would be Rumson Fair-Haven’s final goal of the game.
The Bulldogs tried to melt away the clock, but A.L. Johnson took advantage of a man advantage when Matt Pedicine scored to tie the game at 9 with 34 seconds to go. On the ensuing faceoff, Joe Francicsco gained possession and scored the game winner just six seconds later. Francisco scored six times and Pedicine had three goals for the #10 seed, who advance to face defending state champion Mountain Lakes on Wednesday in Livingston.