Matt Phelps
Mercer Island Reporter

The past three preseasons for the Mercer Island boys lacrosse program have been about defending state titles and what impact the next Mahony brother will make. And while this year the answer to the Mahony question could come by the end of the season, the players hope they will be able to get back to defending state titles next year.

“We can’t just rely on a few key people this year,” said Mercer Island coach Ian O’Hearn. “We will really need to rely on the entire team and spread out the responsibility.”

One factor for the Islanders will be the growth of the program. The team had to make cuts this season to get down to the 70 players it can handle.

“We have such a big program now with such a strong feeder program that we can rely on younger players,” said O’Hearn.

And while the younger players will get a chance to show their skills, the older players will be the heart and soul for the 2008 campaign.

The Islanders will be strong on defense with the return of nearly every player from the state finals team of 2007. Goalkeeper and senior Adam Bowen is one of the biggest keys. Conner Beckwith, a sophomore who started last year, will help anchor the defense in front of Bowen.

“I think we are as good or better than last year on defense,” said Bowen.

Many changes will take place on offense for the Islanders as many of the graduating class were in the attack or midfield.

Senior Michael Choe, who was selected to the U19 Korean National team, will lead the way on offense along with Islander senior co-captain Sam Franklin. Mercer Island also picked up a foreign exchange student from Australia, Daniel Shields, who will make an immediate impact.

“He is already really good so he will be a huge asset,” said O’Hearn. “But we are inexperienced on offense at the varsity level, so we have some work to do.”

That work seems to be paying off as the Islanders defeated Utah’s defending state champs, Alta, 12-6 behind five goals from sophomore Jon Wettack.

“That game was the first time we have really started clicking,” said Bowen.

The Islanders went on to defeat Lake City 15-3 during the Northwest Lacrosse Invitational last weekend. The Islanders have started the season 4-2.

Mercer Island will take a trip to New England for some tough East Coast games, April 3-6.

“It helps a lot to have these trips so the guys get seen by college coaches and get some high-caliber competition,” said O’Hearn.

Trips in the past have led to Islanders playing at Division I colleges, such as current Georgetown captain Chris Taylor among others.

One big game on the Islanders’ schedule will take place on Saturday, April 26, when the Islanders will host rival Bellevue.

“That will be the biggest home game of the year,” said O’Hearn.

Winning the final game of the season is the biggest goal.

“Bainbridge is favored, and they will be pretty strong,” said O’Hearn. “But we will be ready by the end of the season.”

As for that other element of the preseason — there is another Mahony brother coming to the varsity field.

“This will be our first year in awhile starting a season without a Mahony on the field,” said O’Hearn. “But [freshman] Doug Mahony may see time this year. They are all great athletes.”