Nicole Flego will commence her third season an Assistant Coach at Villanova under Head Coach Julie Young in 2017. Flego is primarily responsible for working with the Wildcat attack unit as an offensive coordinator, works with draws, and does extensive work with scouting reports, and game plans, and recruiting. Last season under Flego's guidance, Jackie Froccaro became the second all-time leading scorer in program history, finishing her career with 130 goals and 24 assists for a total of 154 points. The grad student ranked second in the BIG EAST in drawl controls, averaging 2.82 per game. Both Jackie Forccaro and Chelsey Henderson landed on the All-BIG EAST Second Team. In 2015, the Wildcats had a breakout year making it to the Big East tournament for the first time in program history. Villanova had four players garner all conference awards, three of which were on the Wildcat attack unit. Two players were selected to the first team: Jessica Mucci, who led the Big East in assists last season, and Froccaro - who was second in the conference in goals per game and led the conference in draw controls per game. Froccaro also garnered a major conference award and was named the Big East Conference Attacker of the Year after a phenomenal season for the Wildcats. Prior to joining the Villanova family, Flego spent the 2013-2014 season as the assistant coach at Adelphi University where the responsibilities included coaching the offense, recruiting, film breakdown and managing the program budget. Learning all facets of the program's success and gained valuable experience from mentor and Coach of the Year Rob Grella. Adelphi went 22-0 during the 2014 season, winning the Division II National Championship and setting a program record for wins in a season. Adelphi produced 5 All-Americans and which included 3 All-Americans from the Panther Attacking Unit - with two players scoring over 100 points each in the 2014 season. Adelphi swept the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Awards claiming the Player of the year, Defensive player of the year and the Rookie of the year. Adelphi also placed 5 players on the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) First Team and one player on the second team. The Program also included 6 All-Conference Major award winners (Attacker of the year, Player of the Year, Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Goalie of the Year), and the Division 2 Defender of the year. Flego had previously worked at Lock Haven University (who faced Adelphi in the 2014 National Championship) where she worked with the Lady Bald Eagle Defense, and also spent a year at Division III Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio) as an assistant coach. Along with serving as the team's offensive coordinator at Oberlin, she helped with all facets of the program's success. Oberlin was 11-5 in 2012, matching its most wins since 1998. Under Flego's guidance, OC had four players earn All-Conference status, the most in program history in over 10 years. Flego is a graduate from the University of Delaware in 2011 where she enjoyed a strong playing career with the Blue Hens as an Attacker for Coach Kim Ciarrocca. She garnered many accolades as a player: In her freshman season she was named Rookie of the Week 3 times, named to the CAA 1st team, Named Conference Rookie of the Year, as well as being Placed on the All-Rookie Team. She was ranked 3rd in the conference for points per game and second in assists per game. She was named a Rookie All-American in 2007, and also named Team MVP, and The University of Delaware honored her as their Female Rookie of the Year in 2007. Was a Pre- Season All-American in 2008 before being sidelined due to injury. Flego earned her degree in Health Behavioral Science, with a focus in psychology, and minored in coaching sciences with a focus on strength and conditioning as well as health promotion program planning. A High School All-American, Flego was selected to play in the inaugural Under Armour All-American Women's Lacrosse Game that selected 44 of the Nations top Players in 2006. Flego also has extensive experience playing Men's field and box lacrosse as a member of Team Twist out of Philadelphia. A member of Team Toyota in 2003 at the age of 15 she garnered All-Tournament Team Honors at the Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Tournament, alongside attacking line-mate Jen Adams (Maryland 2001). Flego was also a member of the Ultimate Goal Lacrosse Club coached by current USA-U19, and USA strength coach Michele DeJuliis. She graduated from Central Bucks East High School setting a program record for Goals, Points, and Assists in a season. Flego has been around the coaching circuit her entire life and attributes her passion for coaching to her father and grandfather. Her Father, Greg, was a down-hill ski racer and lacrosse player at Keene State in New Hampshire, currently he owns, directs and coaches one of the best high school boys club lacrosse teams in the nation in Team Twist. Grandfather Lou Flego was an All-American in 4 sports during his collegiate career at Adelphi -- (Lacrosse, Football, Squash, and Baseball) and was inducted into the Adelphi Athletics Hall of Fame. Lou Flego is the holder of nine varsity letters in four sports. He earned major career honors including Outstanding Senior Athlete and Outstanding College Athlete of the Year in the NCAA. In addition to playing for the lacrosse team, Flego also played quarterback for the last football teams at Adelphi, and played football under legendary Head Coach Al Davis, (who went on to coach in the NFL and eventually became the owner of the Oakland Raiders). Lou Flego went on to coach lacrosse at Adelphi from 1960-69. Ten of his players went on to earn All-American honors. Flego currently resides in Bucks County, Pa.
