Four is apparently the charm for the Oxford Wildcats. The men’s lacrosse team finally turned the corner this spring in winning their first Oakland Activities Association Blue Division Lacrosse championship after finishing second for three straight years.
The Wildcats finished the league schedule unbeaten, while recording a 12- 6 record overall this season.
‘We certainly have to be happy with our league championship and I think we ended this group of seniors? careers on the right note,? said Greg Normand, Oxford’s head coach. ‘I really believe we’ll get better next year because we finally have a feeder system that will provide us with the quality players a program needs to be successful.?
Normand said seniors Noah Grove, Austin Kreshock, Scott Randall, Jared Tasch, Garrett Muscott, Lars Kokate and Nate Tilley were the backbones for rebuilding what was a sub par Oxford varsity lacrosse program.
‘I can’t say enough about these seniors the last four years,? he said. ‘This group recorded 45 wins over four years, while only losing 23’that’s a far cry from the 5-47-1 record we inherited in 2012?. I can only say it’s been a great ride.?
While Oxford was winning their first league championship, the players began picking up post season honors yesterday. Noah Grove, Jared Tasch and Hunter Lowe were named to the Michigan High School Lacrosse Coaches Association All-State team for their outstanding season.
Grove, who led the Wildcats in points this year with 76 (36 goals, 40 assists), was named to the all-state team for the second year in a row, joining Tasch, Oxford’s goalie, who was honored for the third straight year. Tasch led OAA goalies in save percentage (76 percent), saves (121) and league wins (6). Hunter Lowe, the lone underclassmen for Oxford, led the Wildcats in defensive ground balls (54).
‘We are really proud of these athletes and look forward to watching them in college or next year right back here at Oxford,? Normand said.
Normand said Grove will be suiting up for Indianapolis University next season as a midfielder, while Tasch could consider playing at Michigan State. Lowe will be expected to anchor what could be Oxford’s best defensive backcourt since the program was started in 2007. Oxford certainly had an outstanding season, Normand said, who mentioned that several other Wildcats were honored at their recent team banquet.
Dominic Regan was honored as the team’s most improved player; Tasch won the annual Wildcat Award, while Grove was named as the team’s Most Valuable Player. In 2016, Normand said Louie Urban, Ryan Kimbrough and Dominic Regan would lead Oxford as captains.
‘We’ve had some great captains and I can’t wait to see what this trio will bring to the table. I have a lot of confidence in these three young men,? Normand said.
The annual Salani Award, an honor bestowed to the player who best represents the ideals of the Oxford lacrosse program both on and off the field, was awarded to Jared Tasch, Noah Grove and the team mom, Courtney Grove. The Salani Award was named for the Salani family, who gave Oxford its starts eight years ago.
‘Two of the choices were easy for the Salani Award’but I had to honor Courtney Grove for all that she’s meant to this program’without her, Oxford Lacrosse would not be where we are and we can’t thank her enough for all her effort this year and every year,? Normand said.