Years of frustrations for the Oxford boys lacrosse team have all but disappeared as the squad has already won three games in the early part of the season, after winning only four games in the prior four years.
First-year Coach Greg Normand and his team have started the season 3-1 with victories over Waterford, Anchor Bay and St. Clair and a loss to Walled Lake Northern.
The Wildcats won their first game, 2-1, over Waterford and then scored 11 goals against Anchor Bay, in an 11-3 victory.
Walled Lake Northern brought the Cats back to earth with a 16-6 win but then the boys clubbed St. Clair, 15-3.
Piper Thaler led the Wildcat attack in the St. Clair victory, scoring five goals and six assists,
Normand said senior captain Thaler had his best day ever and the best for any Wildcat in the St. Clair victory.
Normand said it is difficult to predict how well the team will do this season but said he hopes it could garner eight to 10 wins.
The team has nine freshmen starting with some senior leadership.
‘We are young and inexperienced but we are starting a team almost from scratch and learning how to play together.?
In addition to Thaler, junior Adam Cole has a strong shot which Normand said may be the best on the team.
The team is backstopped by goalie Nico McNeil, who the coach said is doing very well thus far.
Normand said it appears as though defense will be one of the team’s strengths. Two of the top defenders are Dominic Biolchini and Owen Bachusz. ‘Both are big, strong and smart,? Normand said.
Noah Groves, Nathan Tilley and Austin Kreshock are three freshmen who Normand said should contribute quite a bit.
Conner McGarry will play midfield and anchor that area, Normand said.