VICKSBURG, MI -- When Erik Frank received the keys to Mattawan's boys lacrosse program seven years ago, he mapped out a trio of goals: transform the Wildcats into a school sport, attain 100 victories as a coach, and, above all, hoist playoff hardware.

On Tuesday, he hit the trifecta.

With his team bound and determined, Frank saw his grand vision fully come to life as the No. 3-ranked Wildcats delivered a dominating performance in capturing a Division 2 regional championship with a 13-2 triumph over Holland Christian at Vicksburg High School.

It's the program's first regional title in a quarter-century.

"Winning a regional championship was always one of my goals when I got here, and to complete that trifecta is special, for sure," said Frank, 36. "I finally just said 'I'm going to make this (program) special. And this year, it is. I think it'll continue to be that way, too."

Senior captain Spencer Stiles powered Mattawan with stellar four-goal game, while fellow seniors Carson Smith, Brody Hergott and Connor Vernon each finished with a pair of goals. Zane Roberts also added two goals for the Wildcats.

After falling in last year's regional final to Byron Center, Mattawan made it a mission to flip the script this season -- which was led by its influential and senior-heavy roster.

"Every practice, every workout, that was what we talked about - we never wanted to have that feeling again," said Stiles of last year's regional final loss. "I think all that boiling anger fueled us to be the team that we are today and ultimately get the mitten that we've wanted for the last four years. This is our last chance to all play together, and we weren't going to have this opportunity slip past us again."

With its seniors leading the charge, Mattawan left no doubt as it shook off a slow start and rattled off five goals in the second quarter to build a 6-1 halftime advantage. Hergott and Stiles each muscled their way in for goals, including two from Stiles off faceoffs.

"When we get to play make it take it, it's a huge momentum shift," Frank said of Stiles. "After we go down and score, we get the ball back and score again ... it's just demoralizing to defenses. That's been our bread and butter and for him to be winning 50 percent (of faceoffs) all year, Spencer has been huge for us. He saw a need in the program and stepped up."

Frank said Stiles allows Mattawan to play "make it, take it", as he's won 50 percent of faceoffs on the season.

"When we go down and score, get the ball back and score again, it's just demoralizing to defenses," he said.

With momentum on its side, Mattawan hit the jets with seven unanswered tallies in the second half -- including Hergott's do-it-himself goal early in the third quarter for a 7-1 lead.

Hergott, a St. John's commit, added a trio of second half assists to seal the deal.

"This is a fantastic group and us seniors have worked really hard to achieve this," Hergott said of the regional title. "It's an incredible feeling."

Vince Vale, Stiles and Vernon put a bow on Mattawan's regional championship with goals in the fourth frame.

With nine seniors on this year's squad, Mattawan's preseason goals were not only to bring playoff hardware to the program, but to also show it belonged on the big stage. The Wildcats ended their season with victories over state-ranked Forest Hills Eastern and Caledonia -- two teams within the top 5 of Division 2.

"A lot of people don't think that Southwest Michigan lacrosse is legit and they think of us on a lower level than other areas," Stiles said. "We wanted to show everyone that we are legit and that we're contenders for a state championship, not just the region, but also to get the big mitten. That's what really fueled us to play bigger games and put Mattawan on the map.

"We've done that this year, but the job's not done, and we're looking at bigger things starting tomorrow."

Mattawan won a Class C state championship back in 2003 but has often run into powerhouses like East Grand Rapids and Detroit Country Day in years since.

Now, the Wildcats are relishing in those types of challenges.

"Southwest Michigan has been notoriously low and we've often times heard the talk that we don't play anybody," Frank said. "And we still get that 'we'll see what Mattawan's doing' talk, but we just won a regional championship on a running clock ... that's why these boys have been so motivated. We wanted to make a statement."

And they feel like they're just getting started, too.

"This is the moment we've dreamed of as kids, and to finally have a mitten to show for it, it means a lot. But we're here to show everyone that we're legit and we're coming for the big one."

Mattawan will play the winner of Haslett/Saginaw Heritage in a state quarterfinal slated for Friday at Grandville.