Taylor Moreno

Recap: Johansen registers first career hat trick, 226 points in victory

Taylor Moreno © Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2022 / Credit: Kait Devir
Eric Rhew
Jul 23, 2022

SPARKS, Md. — The temperature of midfielder Amanda Johansen’s stick may have matched the on-field temperature during Saturday’s Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse action between Team Apuzzo and Team Read.

The former USC standout used her first career hat trick to collect 226 leaderboard points as Team Apuzzo downed Team Read by a 12-5 count at steamy USA Lacrosse Headquarters.

Johansen, who also tallied an assist in the victory, earned MVP 1 honors as Team Apuzzo upped its record to 2-0 in the opening week. She also added five ground balls, four draw controls and two caused turnovers.

Goalkeeper Taylor Moreno followed with 200 leaderboard points after garnering MVP 2 distinction in the victory. The rookie from the University of North Carolina made 10 saves, including five in the final quarter, as Team Read was limited to just 5-for-22 shooting.

Team Read, which saw its record fall to 1-1, was paced by two goals from rookie attacker Aurora Cordingley. Goalkeeper Britt Read, the game’s MVP 3 selection, authored 11 saves with an assist in the setback.

KEY MOMENT

Team Apuzzo, which never trailed in the game, got off to a blazing 5-1 start in the game’s opening four minutes. Midfielder Dempsey Arsenault scored twice with an assist during the outburst.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

Johansen (381 points) and Moreno (338 points) vaulted to the top of the leaderboard with their stellar performances. Team Apuzzo captain Sam Apuzzo holds the No. 3 position after registering 141 points in the victory on Saturday.

GAME NOTES

  • Apuzzo extended her goal scoring streak to 17 consecutive games after tallying a pair of goals in the third quarter … She also notched her second straight two-goal performance to open the season.

  • Johansen, who scored 10 goals in nine games last season, posted her fourth career multi-goal performance in the victory … She has also scored at least one goal in eight of her last nine outings, dating back to last season.

  • Team Read and Team Apuzzo failed to score in the fourth quarter, marking the second time in league history a game has featured a scoreless quarter … On Aug. 7, 2021, Team Wood and Team Ohlmiller failed to score in the fourth quarter, going a combined 0-for-7 shooting.

  • Johansen’s 226 leaderboard points are tied for the second-highest single-game total by a player in league history … In addition, Johansen and Moreno recorded the ninth and 10th 200-point performances in league history.

  • Team Read had the first captain’s challenge of the season with 4:28 left in the second quarter on a goal by attacker Lauren Gilbert … The challenge was successful and Gilbert’s goal was negated due to a dangerous follow through on her shot.

  • Team Read also challenged a goal by Apuzzo as time expired in the third quarter … The challenge was unsuccessful and Apuzzo was credited with the goal.

  • Team Apuzzo outshot Team Read by a 31-22 margin and held a 13-10 advantage in ground balls … However, Team Read owned a 12-9 edge in draw controls

  • Neither team attempted a free-position shot in the game.

GAME MVPS

  • #1 – Amanda Johansen (Team Apuzzo, +45)
  • #2 – Taylor Moreno (Team Apuzzo, +30)
  • #3 – Britt Read (Team Read, +15)

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