WILDCAT ATHLETIC CLUB WELCOMES MIKE TAYLOR

PLEASE HELP US WITH A WARM WELCOME AND WISHES FOR A PRODUCTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL 2015 SEASON

Shoreham Wading River is excited to welcome Mike Taylor as our new varsity lacrosse Head Coach. Mike Taylor comes to us from Dowling College leaving behind 13 years as the assistant coach of the men’s lacrosse team. In his inaugural season, he helped guide the Golden Lions to a 7-6 overall record. Mike has compiled an overall record of 121-54 and four NCAA tournament appearances. During his tenure, Mike has coached 40 All American Selections, nine of which went on to play professionally.

Last year the Golden Lions finished with a 12-5 overall record with a 6-1 East Coast Conference mark. Dowling advanced to the first ever ECC Final game earning their fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament.  Four Golden Lions were named to the USILA All-Region Team.

In 2006, the program earned a No. 2 National ranking with a 12-2 record and earning a spot in the NCAA Division II National Championship game for the first time in program history. 

In 2010, the Golden Lions found themselves back in the NCAA National Semifinal game where they faced the top seeded Pioneers of C.W. Post.  Dowling wrapped up another successful season at 12-2. Earning their second NCAA postseason selection. Mike received I.M.L.A. Division II Assistant Coach of the Year after again making a NCAA final four appearance. 

In 2012, the Golden Lions had an 11-2 regular season finish, the Golden Lions earned the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Championships where they faced the top seeded Mercyhurst Lakers in the semifinals.  A 7-6 overtime victory sent Dowling to the Championship game where they defeated the Saints for the programs first National Championship title.  It also set a new program high 13 wins in a single season. The Golden Lions finished nationally ranked in the Top 10 in Scoring Offense, Scoring Defense, Face off Win Percentage, Scoring Margin, Win Percentage, Points per Game, and Ground Ball 

Mike brings a vast deal of lacrosse experience and game knowledge with him to Dowling.  He played four years (1991-1994) at Dowling College where he was a captain his junior and senior years. In 1993 and 1994, he received Honorable Mention All American, he was also leading scorer for Dowling 1992 – 1994. In his senior year he led the nation in scoring, assists, and total points with 116 total points.  During his time at Dowling College, Mike earned his Bachelor of Science in Special Education.  He received his Master’s in Liberal Arts from Stony Brook University.  Mike played for Team Canada in the Commonwealth Games, Victoria Island, British Columbia, Canada in 1994.  In Ontario, Canada, Mike played for the Huntsville’s Hawks and won recognition as MVP and his team received the Canadian Championship, Founders Cup, in 1991.


Prior to assisting at Dowling, Taylor help start the Patchogue-Medford Lacrosse Program where he served as an assistant on varsity for three years.  He also served as an assistant at St. John the Baptist High School. Currently coach Mike Taylor directs and owns two successful travel lacrosse programs, North of the Border Box Lacrosse and Legacy Lacrosse.  Through these two programs coach Taylor instructs over 600 young lacrosse players annually.   In addition to his lacrosse coaching, Taylor is a teacher in the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District as a special educator.

Welcome Coach Taylor!

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