The Mercer Island boys water polo team completed the first half of the season recently with a big win over Shorewood 23-13.

The Shorewood Thunderbirds surprised the Islanders early by jumping to a 4-1 lead in the first quarter. However, the Islanders remained unfazed and captain Jacob Guedel got the Islanders back on track making two assists and one goal during a four-goal Islander run that allowed Mercer Island to overtake the Thunderbirds 5-4 in the closing seconds of the first quarter. The Islanders never looked back.

In the second quarter, Islander Sam Nair ignited the team’s seven-goal run. Nair had the hot hand of the quarter with four goals and one assist for the Islanders pressing attack. The maroon squad burst out with a commanding 13-5 lead at the half.

The Islander’s Sammy Vacca lead the air assault in the third quarter. Vacca sunk three goals at the front half and connected with Nair for a goal in the closing seconds, to give the Islander’s a 18-11 lead in the third quarter.

The relentless Islander attack wore down the Thunderbirds. In the fourth quarter, Vacca once again lead the charge with two goals and two assists. Leif Gullstad put in the final two goals of the quarter to end the game 23-13.

Nair completed the game with six goals, three assists and five steals. Vacca had six goals and six assists. The Islanders face Bellevue at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday at Mercer Island Country Club.

-By Carol Gullstad, Special to the Reporter