Bainbridge beats Mercer Island for state title | State boys soccer

In their first state championship game appearance in 11 years, the Mercer Island boys soccer team battled Bainbridge to the end, but couldn’t come up with the extra goal to tie the match. Mercer Island lost 3-2.

By Megan Managan • May 26, 2012 9:26 pm
The Mercer Island boys soccer team finished second in the 3A state tournament.
The Mercer Island boys soccer team finished second in the 3A state tournament.

In their first state championship game appearance in 11 years, the Mercer Island boys soccer team battled Bainbridge to the end, but couldn’t come up with the extra goal to tie the match. Mercer Island lost 3-2.

Bainbridge attacked early on, earning the first goal of the game after just 10 minutes and added their second 11 minutes later to lead 2-0.

Mercer Island fought back, earned several chances before Jake Michael headed the ball into the goal off a corner from Josh Lee. The score was 2-1 with 33 minutes left in the match.

After 20 minutes of vying back and forth for the ball, Bainbridge hit the mark against goalie Sam Miller to lead 3-1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undeterred by the scoreboard, the Islanders kept pushing and Jordan Morris scored his first of the game with 10:36 left to go. Mercer Island frantically picked up the pace, looking to tie the game before the end of regulation. Despite their best efforts, Bainbridge held them off, taking the win and the state title.

“It was a great game. We didn’t need to give up the two goals in the first, but that’s the way it goes. We came back and played our hearts out,” said Islanders head coach Steve Newman.

Though they finished second place in state, the team hit the goals they set earlier in the year ­­– winning the KingCo title and making it to the final four of the state tournament. The team advanced to the finals after teaming a strong Eastmont team the afternoon before.

“We feel good,” said Newman. “Like I told them we’re happy to be here. We gave it our best effort and we came up just a little bit short and had them on their heels. They are a good side, but we were still in it, all the way to that very last whistle. We had some chances that we didn’t finish that would have tied it which would have been sweet, but that’s the game. I don’t mind coming in second.”

For the 10 seniors making their final appearance in the Mercer Island maroon, Newman said he hoped they had fun this season.

“The thrill of being here,” said the coach of what he hopes the team takes away from this year. “Everybody has said so far they wouldn’t have changed anything, over than winning. I hope they had fun.”