Coach demands high level of intensity and focus in every contest
By: Sean Moylan
Going into yesterday’s (Wednesday) scheduled home game versus Moorestown, the Northern Burlington County High School girls’ varsity lacrosse team was a goal way from having a perfect regular season.
Yet perfection was never the primary goal of NBC Coach Dave Adam. What Adam demands out of his girls is for them to maintain a high level of intensity and focus in every contest. So when Adam’s Greyhounds had a lackluster start in a 10-4 home win over Rancocas Valley last Friday, he let his team know about it.
"RV came out and played us tough and we were only up 2-1 with ten minutes left in the first half when I called a timeout," said Adam, who quickly reminded his team to re-focus and play with playoff intensity. Consequently, NBC caught fire and led 4-2 by the half and it completely took over control of the game in the second stanza. Alyssa Pigott led the Greyhounds’ charge with four goals, but Justine Titko and Alayna Morris each contributed a hat trick (three goals) too. Meanwhile Amanda Magee was solid in goal.
"It’s always nice to play tough against a local competitor," said Adam, who was proud of the way his team re-grouped in the contest.
On Saturday, NBC faced a far different challenge as it ran the natural risk of being too complacent against an over-matched Winslow Township team.
"Before the game I reminded them ‘you can’t go into this game playing at their level. Go out there like it’s a playoff game’," said Adam.
NBC heeded its coach’s advice and went out and pummeled Winslow, 18-2. While Titko (five goals), Pigott (four goals) and Morris (two goals) were great as usual, Danielle Chuba (two goals), Nikole Such (two goals), Danielle Terracciano (goal), Steph Lebak (goal), and Rebecca Capoccia (goal) all scored. Magee made five saves to earn her 15th win of the season. NBC actually buried Winslow early with an 11-1 first half.
This past Monday’s scheduled game at Lawrence was cancelled some time ago. NBC does not know where and when it will start its playoff run. At 15-1, the Greyhounds are expecting a good seed, but it may not be a great one because other teams technically have a tougher strength of schedule. Nevertheless, everything NBC has done the past few weeks has been with the playoffs in mind. The Greyhounds are ready.

