The senior is a "scoring machine," tallying 5 goals against Ewing on April 4.
HAMILTONÂ -- Nottingham High School lacrosse coach Jerry Lynch calls senior attacker Nico Petrucci is a "scoring machine."
Based on his five-goal performance during his team's 15-8 rout of Ewing on April 4, it's easy to see why.
During the romp, the "machine" was clicking on all cylinders, delivering five key goals and two clutch assists. Despite their best efforts, Ewing couldn't slow Petrucci down.
"I though this game was going to be a lot closer of a game, but their D-pole didn't play until the second half when I already had three goals," Petrucci told NJ Advance Media after the victory. "He kind of stopped me in the second half, but I did manage to get two more goals to help the team."
To Petrucci, "kind of being stopped" is only scoring two more goals. Yikes.
"We're 2-0 and that's never happened since I've been here," said Petrucci. "We've never won our first two games. It's an amazing feeling and we won today's game handily. It feels even better knowing that Ewing beat us three times last year and twice my sophomore year."
Sounds like Petrucci was extra motivated going into the game against Ewing, and the final score proved that. Ewing coach Kevin Anderson admitted after the contest that they had prepared for Petrucci, but it didn't translate on the field.
"Nottingham had a good game plan and it worked," said Anderson. "We knew Petrucci was coming and we tried to take away his left, but he was just too strong."
When the opposing coach admits he game-planned for you and still couldn't stop you, you know you're something special. Petrucci's own coach also had plenty of praise for him after the rout.
"We're coming together and we put some opportunities together, but I think we just gave away too many opportunities as well," said Lynch. "We took a few bad shots, but we did transition well today. We moved the ball, but I definitely think we can improve.
"As far as Nico's concerned, if he plays under control he could be the top player in the CVC, I think in the division, I really do. He's got to work and if he puts in the work I told him, if he controls himself he'll make opportunities for himself," Lynch said.
"He's a scoring machine."
Rich Cuccagna may be reached at rcuccagna@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RichCuccagna. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.