Nicole Kopyta Breaks Bergen County Scoring Record [Video]

Indian Hills senior attacker Nicole Kopyta scored six goals against Morristown to put her Braves in the semifinals of the NJSIAA tournament on Monday night.

Goals five and six were special for Kopyta. Her fifth goal of the game tied the career goal mark for Bergen County girls lacrosse and her sixth set a new record at 328. 

“I don’t really know what to say or how to explain this feeling,” said Kopyta. “I just want to thank my teammates for putting me in the right position to score over the years. We have been together for years and have an amazing chemistry.”

With only one goal in the first half, it didn’t appear that Monday would be the night that Kopyta would break the record.

The Indian Hills girls actually found themselves trailing 6-5 at the half.

“Coach just reminded us that this could be the last game we play this year at halftime,” said Kopyta.

The Braves came out firing in the second half and outscored the Colonials 12-4, including five from Kopyta.

“When you picture what the ideal female athlete is, it’s Nicole,” said Indian Hills coach Frank Carti. “I’ve been coaching her for 10 years now and she is really something special. Every year she has gotten better and better. Now she is taking it to Rutgers next year and I’m sure she’ll be starting as a freshman.”

The Braves are advancing to the semis of their group where they will go up against the No. 1 seeded Mendham team.

“We don’t know much about Mendham. They are in a different county and a different league but I think it’s a good thing for our girls. They don’t know what they bring or how good they are so they can just play their game,” said Carti. This is the best team we’ve had so far and it’s really exciting for the girls.” 

Indian Hills will be playing Mendham in the semifinals of their group on Thursday. Kopyta will have an opportunity to increase her career scoring record of 328.