Mike Taylor
Mike Taylor enters his 14th year 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. Taylor has compiled overall record of 121-54 and four NCAA tournament appearances. During his tenure, Taylor 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 with senior Derek Muzio being named USILA Academic All-American.
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. Coming up just one goal short, Dowling wrapped up another successful season at 12-2. Earning their second NCAA postseason selection. Taylor 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 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 win sent Dowling to the N.C.C.A. Championship game where they defeated the Saints for the programs first National championship. It was also the programs first 13 wins 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 per Game.
In 2014 coach Taylor made the move to the Wildcats. Immediately he was able to continue his success and lead the team to a 15-2 season and returning the program to the Suffolk county playoffs. After completing his 5th year at the helm Taylor has helped the program accumulate 4 Suffolk county regular season titles, 3 Suffolk County Championship titles, 3 Long Island championship appearances, two Long Island championships, and one State title. In each of his 5 years he has had the privilege to coach and assist several players to reach personal accolades. This includes two LI players of the year, 3 All Americans, 35 All County, and 52 All Division players.
Taylor brings a vast deal of lacrosse experience and game knowledge with him to Shoreham Wading River. 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. During his time at Dowling College, Taylor earned his Bachelor of Science in Special Education. He received his Master’s in Liberal Arts from Stony Brook University. Taylor played for Team Canada in the Commonwealth Games, Victoria Island, British Columbia, Canada in 1994. In Ontario, Canada, Taylor 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 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. Taylor attended Huntsville High School, Ontario, Canada. Here he was a prominent athlete and currently resides in Shirley, New York with his wife Jennifer and their four sons, Noah, Jake, Owen and Liam.
College Career
Year W- L Pct. Notes
2000-01 7-6 .538 ECAC Semifinalist
2001-02 7-6 .538 ECAC Semifinalist
2002-03 8-3 .727
2003-04 8-6 .571 NYCAC Championship Semifinalist
2004-05 9-5 .643 ECAC Semifinalist
2005-06 12-2 .857 NCAA Finalists
2006-07 8-4 .667
2007-08 12-3 .800
2008-09 7-6 .538
2009-10 12-2 .857 NCAA Appearance
2010-11 11-3 .786
2011-12 13-2 .867 National Champions
2012-13 7-6 .538
2013-14 12-5 .706 NCAA Appearance
College Career Totals
15 years 121-54 .691
Shoreham Wading River Career
Year W- L Pct. Notes
2014-15 15-2 .882 Suffolk County regular season title and playoffs
2015-16 17-3 .850 Suffolk County Champions, LI Champions
2016-17 15-4 .789 Suffolk County Champions, LI appearance
2017-18 8-9 .470 Suffolk County playoffs
2018-19 19-3 .863 Suffolk County Champion, LI Champions, NYS Champions
2019-20 0-0 N/A COVID 19 season cancelled
Shoreham Wading River Career Totals
5 years 72-21 .774