By Matt Phelps

Mercer Island Reporter

Many teams would have quit following a tough 0-3 preseason and finding themselves down 1-0 at half time during their first regular season game. But the Mercer Island girls soccer team found a spark during the second half of their 2-1 victory against Liberty Tuesday at Islander stadium.

“We needed to get into this game and get into league play,” said Islander head coach Adam Gervis. “This was a huge baby step forward.”

The spark for the Islanders came both on offense and defense.

Four minutes into the second half Islander Erin Bourguignon tied the game with an awkward shot-on-goal from 60 feet away.

“I was just trying to kick it back into play and it went into the goal,” said Bourguignon. “Goal is a goal and I’ll take it every time.”

The play gave the Islanders renewed enthusiasm as the pace of the game picked up dramatically from the first half.

Mercer Island found themselves down 1-0 thanks a Liberty goal nine minutes into the game.

“We shouldn’t have gave up that goal but our goalkeeper made up for it a million times over,” said Gervis.

Islander goalkeeper Susan Schumam began the game like her team — slow. But the second half was a stark contrast in how well the Islanders can play when inspired by the rest of the team. A leaping save during the 68th minute, barely punching the ball over the cross bar, was inspired by the renewed hope of a tie game. But in return Schuman inspired her team.

“Everyone had to raise their play a little,” said Gervis. “What raised it was that save.”

Schuman’s small frame made the save that much more impressive.

“It is hard sometimes being short and being a goal keeper,” said Schuman. “But I wasn’t going to let them take the game after we tied it.”

The Islanders took the lead two possessions later as Mary Hill took control of the ball in the left corner and set up Rachel Pedreira, who sent a rocket shot to the back of the Patriot’s net.