By Matt Phelps
Despite some injuries to starting players, the Mercer Island boys soccer team displayed its dominance over 3A KingCo last week with three consecutive victories.
The Islanders beat Liberty in Renton 3-0 on Tuesday, thanks to a big first-half performance from Chuck Vallieres.
The Islanders defeated Interlake at home 1-0 on Wednsday, as goalkeepers Alex Haas and David Addison teamed up for the shutout.
Mercer Island completed the week on Friday with a crushing 4-0 victory at Mount Si.
“We played well and dominated,” said Mercer Island coach Steve Newman. “It allows us to keep position, but we still have work to do.”
Vallieres was the player of the game against the Liberty Patriots with two goals before being taken out of the game after half time.
The junior wasted little time getting his team on the board. Islander Adam Jacobson blew down the right sideline and sent a strike to the feet of Vallieres. After stopping the ball, Vallieres lost his balance as his left foot slipped out from underneath him. The slip pulled the keeper to the left side of the goal. Liberty players converged on the Mercer Island junior. But just as fast as he slipped, Vallieres poked a hot shot to the upper right corner of the goal for the first score just two minutes into the game.
“I over ran the ball and I had to reach back for it,” said Vallieres. “I just cranked it.”
Jacobson and Vallieres hooked again 14 minutes later, as Jacobson broke away from defenders and crossed right to left in front of the Liberty goal. Jacobson again found Vallieres wide open underneath. Instead of going high, Vallieres went low, sending a worm burner under the diving neon orange jersey that hung off the Patriot keeper.
Although Liberty is far behind the Islanders in the standings, they still knew they had a chance to make a statement during the game.
During the 26th minute a Liberty player ran hard down the middle of the field with two Islanders in tow. He passed the ball, which was shot by a teammate, and collected by Haas. But the Liberty player ran hard as Haas juggled the ball. Unable to stop his momentum the Patriot player plowed into Haas in a violent collision. Both players hit the ground and were slow to get up. The ref blew the whistle and called a yellow card foul on the Patriot player.
The yellow car was one of three issued during the game.
As time ran out on the first half, the Islanders earned a corner kick and a shot at an insurmountable lead but the ref blew the whistle just before an Islander player could kick the ball, saving Liberty from a another shot attempt by Mercer Island.
The Patriots would shut down the Mercer Island offense during the second half and score a goal. The problem with the goal, though, is that it went into their own net. With three minutes remaining in the game, Mercer Island set up for a corner kick. The sharp line drive hit a Liberty player on the hip and ricocheted into the Liberty goal for the final score of the game.
“We came out hot and it is nice to get that first win after break,” said Islander Cameron Galloway.
The victory came at a price, as Galloway was pulled from the game with a muscle strain and Phil Spitzer had to be lifted as well thanks to an injury.
“We have to stay healthy and stay focused,” said Vallieres.
Mercer Island came out hot against Interlake. Spitzer started the game and come up with the biggest play. On a penalty kick, the senior sent a rocket shot to the back of the opposition’s net for the early and deceives goal during the 13th minute of the contest. The Islander defense in front of Addison and Haas made the goal stand up for the victory.
“From the goal keepers to the midfield to our bench, everyone is right there doing their part,” said Galloway.
The win over Mount Si gave the Islanders a two game, eight-point edge in the standings. Vallieres continues his hot scoring with three goals during the game. Phil Spitzer added the fourth goal and Jacobson had two assists.
The Islanders took on Issaquah on Tuesday (after Reporter deadline). The team will travel to Newport at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
