By: centraljersey.com
Mike DeLaurentis does not know Nick Mongiello very well yet, but the new Hightstown High boys lacrosse coach likes what he has seen and heard so far.
Mongiello, a senior, brings a hard-nosed style to the game, which DeLaurentis, who was a standout defender during his collegiate days at Ursinus, welcomes.
"Nick is very aggressive and likes the contact of the game, and I appreciate that," DeLaurentis said. "He likes playing defense and being physical. I can’t appreciate that enough. I’m just meeting him, but I’m pretty pleased with that."
The physical aspect of Mongiello’s game is no surprise. In addition to lacrosse, he played football at Hightstown and plans to continue with that sport at Lycoming College in the fall. Last season, he helped the Rams as both a running back and second-team All-Colonial Valley Conference defender. He did so despite suffering a broken wrist on the season’s opening day.
"I like the hitting, the contact," Mongiello said. "A good hit is better than a goal, by far. It gives you more of a rush."
Mongiello expects to be a leader on the team this season.
"I try to get the team more pumped up and if they do something wrong I try to teach them the right techniques and stuff," he said. "I’m more about leading by example, but if we’re all in the huddle, I’ll be more vocal and get guys pumped up."
DeLaurentis was greeting by a large number of players when Hightstown started practices this week. More than 50 students turned out for the squad.
"We have great numbers," DeLaurentis said. "That’s an impressive showing. Unfortunately, we have to cut some kids. It’s not what I’d like to do, but with budget reasons, it’s what we have to do.
"It’s tough. We’re trying to learn everyone’s names. There are a lot of kids and I want to get to know everyone and give them a fair evaluation. They’re showing me the respect by coming out here and putting in the work and trying hard. I owe it to them."
DeLaurentis is no stranger to the Hightstown area. He played lacrosse, football and wrestled at Peddie. He was an assistant and junior varsity coach at Robbinsville prior to taking over the Rams’ program. He plans to have his squad focus on "the little things" as they prepare for the campaign.
"What we have to focus on in practice is fundamentals," DeLaurentis said. "It shows with the passing and catching, it shows how they pick up groundballs, it shows in game concepts. We’re going to try to keep it simple and drill it to death.
"I’m excited about (the season). I like to be aggressive. I like to go after teams defensively. But my philosophy is smart lacrosse. I want to teach the kids to be smarter players; know the game and know your opponents. I like to really break the game down and view it in terms of how smart we can be. I want to outsmart the other team, out play the other team. Hopefully we come out on top."
The coach said the CVC lacrosse divisions have been realigned, with the Rams in a division with other developing programs such as Steinert, Hamilton West, Nottingham and Ewing.
"I’d really like to perform well in that division," DeLaurentis said. "I think we can."With players like Mongiello coupled with DeLaurentis’ philosophy, the Rams could be a hit.

