Blake Moxim is only a junior but the high-scoring attackman for Hopedale High’s lacrosse team is starting to draw attention from Division 1 colleges.
The 5-foot-11, 160-pounder, who scored 38 goals and had 69 assists last year, is well-known in Central Mass. circles but his prolific scoring and passing ability are getting recognition in the South — at High Point College in North Carolina and Furman University in South Carolina.
“I haven’t decided where I’ll go to college but High Point reached out to me,’’ Moxim said. “I visited the school and really liked the campus. They’ve got a strong lacrosse program and so does Furman. I want to play college lacrosse and I’m confident I can compete at the Division 1 level.’’
Moxim’s confidence stems from a dynamic sophomore season and so far his junior campaign is off to a stunning start. After three matches, he’s got 25 points on six goals and 19 assists. In the season opener, an 18-7 victory over Auburn, he scored two goals and assisted on nine others. The Blue Raiders were 2-1 at Local Town Pages deadline
Last year, however, he finished with 107 points, which left him as the No. 2 scorer in Central Mass. He was a Mid-Mass. League all-star and was named by Boston Lacrosse On-line as a first team all-state player and a first-team all-state underclassman. The Hopedale native also played a major role in helping the Blue Raiders advance to the Division 3 Sectional Tournament semi-finals where they lost to powerhouse Dover-Sherborn.
“My primary goal this season is to get back to the tourney for the third straight year,’’ Moxim emphasized. “And, I’d like to see us advance as far as possible. Another goal is to win the Mid-Mass. League championship. My personal objectives are to be the top scorer in Central Mass. and to be named an All-American. Central Mass. coaches will choose six players from the area for that honor.’’
Moxim, who started playing lacrosse as a fourth-grader, has competed at the club level for seven years and he briefly played on Hopedale’s varsity as an eighth-grader. As a freshman, he scored 35 goals and had 46 assists for 81 points.
Relying on a variety of strengths, the 16-year-old has a high lacrosse IQ, he’s got speed and quickness, is technically sound, can pass effectively and has excellent hand-eye coordination.
Moxim’s father, Eric, is the varsity coach at Hopedale and he points to several other assets. “Blake has quick hands, good endurance and he dodges well,’’ Eric said. “Another plus is the way her creates offensive opportunities by ‘riding.’ That means he’s able to re-secure the ball from an opposing defender from his attack slot.’’
An aggressive shooter, Moxim considers himself a patient play-maker who’s able to analyze a situation. “I like holding the ball and setting up an effective play,’’ he noted. “I’m an assist-minded attackman.’’
That statement was so true last year when undefeated St. Bernard’s came to Hopedale for what it thought would be its 17th consecutive victory. “I had a goal and eight assists and we won a close game,’’ Moxim said. “We knocked off an unbeaten team and that win gave our program a boost. All of our players worked so hard for that win. It gave us confidence for the tourney where we advanced to the semi-finals before losing.’’
Playing for his father might seem difficult but Moxim uses the ‘coach’s son’ label as motivation. “Some people might think I’m favored,’’ he said. “I just play hard, try to prove people wrong and show them why I deserve to be where I am. And, being the coach’s son hasn’t created problems with my teammates. I’ve got a great relationship with all of them.’’
Moxim has great admiration for three players — seniors Robbie Siefring and Matt Crepeau and sophomore Ethan Warren. “Robbie and Matt are our best players on defense,’’ he said. “Both are fast and tenacious. Ethan is a quick attackman who can dodge and score.’’
Moxim, who is a midfielder on Hopedale’s soccer team, embraces lacrosse for a variety of reasons. “It’s fast-paced and it requires speed and endurance,’’ he said. “There’s a lot of chances to score but it’s also a very physical sport.’’
Acutely aware that he can always improve, one area Moxim is working on is his matchup with defenders. “I have to work at being more physical,’’ he noted. “I’m trying to build up my strength by spending more time in the weight room.’’
Moxim finds that lacrosse presents challenges and he’s very aware of one of them. “At Hopedale, we don’t have a lot of numbers,’’ he said. “So that puts some pressure on the attack players. We have to play a big role on offense.’’
A good student, Moxim isn’t solely focused on athletics. He’s part of the drama club, is involved in DECA and volunteers for Special Olympics duty. But, when he’s on a soccer or lacrosse field, he’s ultra competitive. “I play to win but I also strive to reach my potential and to enjoy sports,’’ he emphasized. “Athletics can teach valuable life lessons. I’ve learned how to be disciplined, to develop a strong work ethic, to be accountable and to overcome adversity.’’
There’s a lot of lacrosse to play for Moxim before he entertains offers from Division 1 colleges. And, there’s little doubt that opportunity will keep knocking.
But, Blake Moxim is more interested in the present. Winning a league championship and seeing Hopedale excel in the playoffs are what motivates him. “Those goals are realistic,’’ he said, “but it’s going to take hard work, discipline and total focus.’’
Issue Date:
May, 2019
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