Mercer Island boys soccer beat Sammamish for KingCo title

Published 9:25 pm Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Despite a large number of starters sitting on the bench due to injuries, the Mercer Island boys soccer team advanced to the next round of playoffs after beating Sammamish 3-1 tonight.

The Islanders, who were in a win-to-stay-in situation, will face either Seattle Prep or Bainbridge Island on Saturday, May 15 in a KingCo/Metro pigtail game. The game will be at Mercer Island High School with a 2 p.m. start time. The winner earns the district’s final state berth.

Tonight, the Islanders dominated the first half, scoring twice in the first 40 minutes, before adding a third in the second half.

Six minutes into the game Perrin Guyer scored after a Jordan Morris shot was reflected by Sammamish goalie Stuart Ellsworth back into play. The Islanders kept up with their chances on goal until Danny Strome fired a pass into the net towards the end of the first half.

Coming back from the break Mercer Island didn’t let up, using it’s defensive strength to clear balls in the backfield.

With 31 minutes left to play Strome once again connected with the goal off a loose ball in front of the Sammamish net for the Islanders 3-0 lead.

Sammamish, which beat Mercer Island earlier in the season to take the Islanders chance at the league title, found it’s own way to the own when Nassor Salum put a shot past Nicolas Terenjev.

Head coach Steve Newman credited the defense for their strong play during the game. The Islanders are 10-3-3 this season.