Mercer Island handily defeats Bellevue during tribute game | Boys prep soccer

Published 10:11 am Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Mercer Island boys soccer team easily defeated Bellevue on Tuesday, April 9 in a special tribute game for former head coach Steve Newman. The final score was 5-1.

Mercer Island got off to a quick start, scoring all five goals in the first half of the game.

Blake Wright was the first to score, in the 4th minute of the game. His second goal of the match came just minutes later, this time assisted by Josh Lee in the 12th minute. A Ryan Hill goal followed, this time assisted by Sean Bender in the 16th minute. Hill then scored his second goal of the night unassisted in the 23rd minute to lift the Islanders to a 4-0 lead.

In the 26th minute, Islander Sean Nevin scored off a long kick which zoomed straight to the back corner of the goal, lifting the team to a 5-0 score.

Bellevue made it’s only goal of the night off a Bennett Bugbee penalty kick in the second half.

The Islanders will be back in action on Friday, April 11, hosting Lake Washington. The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. at MIHS.

At halftime the Islanders honored former head coach Steve Newman who died in October 2012. In honor of Newman, the Coach Steve Newsman Boys Soccer Memorial Fund has been set up. Funds raised will be used to help the soccer team, and have already helped purchase the team a new rain tent. Funds will also be used toward the Steve Newman Spirit Award which will be given each year to a member of the team who embodies Newman’s spirit for soccer and the community. The award will send a student on a trip to an international soccer location in honor of Newman’s love of traveling and of soccer.

Anyone interested in donating to the fund can send checks to the MIHS/Steve Newman Memorial Fund at: Mercer Island High School – ASB Office, 9100 S.E. 42nd Street, Mercer Island, Wa 98040.