Zachary Tucci hits ground running at UNC

Zachary Tucci during a mid-February game vs. Furman. (Jeffrey A. Camarati)

Heading into the 2019 season, great buzz surrounded a certain New England native and his freshman year at the University of North Carolina.

It was none other than five-star recruit and defenseman Will Bowen (Cohasset, Mass.), a former Boston College High School star. Bowen has since taken a medical redshirt because of a preseason knee injury, though the local talent well hasn't dried up in Tar Heel country.

Far from it.

Zachary Tucci (Bedford, N.H.), a former Avon Old Farms standout, has assumed starting duties at the faceoff X. His .614 winning percentage is 19th in the country as UNC has started 3-0 ahead of hosting Johns Hopkins on Saturday.