By Emily Money

Walled Lake Central’s boys’ lacrosse team recently wrapped up their 2014 season. Ending with a record of 6-8, the team is very proud of their hard work this year.

“As a whole, we were more motivated to improve ourselves and each other,” said junior player Tyler Quinn. “Chemistry and team bonding was better than last year.”

The boys lost their playoff game against Ann Arbor Pioneer on May 16, with a devastating score of 14-5. This was the end of their season, and Pioneer will move on to the next round of playoffs.

“We didn’t run our offense as we practiced,” said head coach Nevin Kanner. “We also took too many penalties.”

“We lost playoffs because the other team was in it to win, and we came out sluggish in the first quarter,” added Quinn.

However, the team did very well throughout the rest of the season, with strong wins against Plymouth, West Bloomfield, Grand Blanc, Walled Lake Western, and Waterford.

“I think the two most exciting games were Grand Blanc, in which we played well and controlled the game, and Western, which was a close rivalry game and very physical,” said Kanner.

As the team looks forward to their annual banquet on May 29, they must also say a final farewell to many senior players.

“This year’s senior class helped create a foundation for success and team expectations. They worked hard and left everything on the field. They will be greatly missed,” stated Kanner.

The team will continue playing throughout the summer and officially start its season next March.

“We’ve come a long way since I joined. We finally have a committed coach and motivated players,” said Quinn. “Lacrosse is America’s fastest growing sport and at the rate it’s going, its popularity may even surpass the football and baseball teams at Central.”

If you are interested in playing lacrosse next year, feel free to contact Coach Kanner at 248-939-1134 or jnkanner@comcast.net.

“Vikings lacrosse is on the rise and is the program to play for in Walled Lake. We have the best coaching staff and a phenomenal booster club,” said Kanner. “I believe next year we will win our first playoff game in school history.”