By Matt Phelps
The Mercer Island boys lacrosse team has not lost a game in regular season Washington state play in 38 games. That streak, does not seem to be coming to an end any time soon.
The Islanders faced a rematch of last year’s state championship game against the Bainbridge Island Spartans on Friday. Mercer Island earned the victory 18-11, despite almost letting their opponents back in the game during the third period.
“We let up a bit during the third,” said Islander Chris Taylor. “We need to work on keeping our intensity the entire game.”
After being up 10-5 during the first half, the Islanders relented and the Spartans tied the game at 11-11 during the third period.
“I think we just took them for granted,” said Mercer Island boys lacrosse head coach Ian O’Hearn.
Islander Ben York led the team against the Spartans with five goals. Taylor, Greg Mahony and Kevin Mahony each had three goals during the contest.
But the Mercer Island defense and goalkeeper Noah Symington held off the Spartan attack down the stretch.
“We maintained our position because our defense held its ground,” said Islander Hank Bennett. “We have to do a better job of maintaining our push once we get ahead.”
Symington finished the game with 11 saves. Jacob Sonkin also scored two goals for Mercer Island, while David Sandman and Bennett had a goal each. Kevin Mahony added four assists during the game.
The loss was just Bainbridge’s third of the year.
The Islanders flexed their collective muscles Tuesday, April 26 by annihilating Nathan Hale 17-2.
Kevin Mahony peppered the opposition’s net with six goals, double that of any other player on the field. Taylor had three goals in the game. York, Sonkin and Greg Mahony each had two goals, while Bennett and Chris Henderson had a goal each for Mercer Island.
Symington finished with 12 saves and just the two goals allowed.
Mercer Island’s biggest test in state this season came against Issaquah, which they defeated 12-7 earlier this year. The team faced Issaquah Tuesday (after Reporter deadline).
“We got a five-point win but I would like to see the team play a little better,” said O’Hearn. “All of their scoring chances came off our mistakes.”
The biggest test overall this season for the Islanders was in New York as Mercer Island faced off against five of the best teams in the nation.
“I was really happy with how we played,” said Taylor. “The whole focus now is to reflect and figure out what we are doing right and wrong and integrate some new things. We found some bugs in our offense that we need to correct.”
Although the trip resulted in just one victory, the Islanders had a chance to win two of the four losses late during the games.
“It didn’t go as well as we would have liked as far as wins and losses,” said O’Hearn. “But it is always a success when we can play that many good teams and the kids get exposure to East Coast colleges.”
That exposure has been crucial for a few of the former Islanders that are presently playing at East Coast colleges.
“We learned some other offensive attacks that we haven’t seen in Washington,” said Bennett.
That education in East Coast lacrosse will only help the team to earn a second consecutive Washington state championship trophy.
“We have to play together and not as individuals,” said Taylor. “We are shooting for perfection and we want to run our offense as well as possible.”
The Islanders will host Lakeside at 8 p.m. Friday in Islander Stadium.
