Nick Bonastia enters his second season as an assistant coach with the Lindenwood men's lacrosse team in 2021.
In 2020, Bonastia helped the Lions begin the season with a 5-0 start, before the season was shortened due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Under the assistance of Bonastia, several student-athletes secured GLVC weekly honors, such as Connor Ciemiewicz (GLVC Defensive Player of the Week), Carter Collins (GLVC Offensive Player of the Week), and Peter Covington (GLVC Offensive Player of the Week). Ciemiewicz and Covington both received USILA Team of the Week honors, with Covington being selected twice during the shortened season. Collins was named a Maverik Division II Media All-American after his strong play.
Prior to coming to Lindenwood, Bonastia spent two seasons as the assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Elmhurst College. In his two seasons at Elmhurst, the Bluejays had their two best seasons in program history. In 2019, Bonastia coached the Bluejays to its first-ever CCIW Tournament Final. The Bluejays posted an 11-6 overall record. Following the 2019 campaign, Bonastia guided defender Eric Langston to all-region and All-America honors.
In 2018, Elmhurst finished the season with a 13-3 overall record and rattled off nine consecutive victories. The Bluejays placed second in the CCIW with a 5-1 record while also qualifying for the CCIW Tournament for the fourth straight season. Bonastia had four players on the defense land on the all-conference team, including defenders Trent Nyberg and Eric Langston, who each received all-region honors.
During his playing career at Elmhurst, Bonastia was a two-time all-conference selection at goalkeeper. A four-year starter in goal, he finished his career as Elmhurst's career record holder in ground balls, saves, wins, and goals against average.
