By Matt Phelps

The Mercer Island High School boys soccer team is the 3A KingCo regular season champions for just the third time in the program’s history — but their regular season goals are not over. The Islanders clinched the title May 3 as they beat Sammamish 1-0.

“The boys were very excited,” said Mercer Island boys soccer head coach Steve Newman. “We set several goals before the season starts and being league champs is always one of them. Now we want to finish undefeated.”

The title came as Mercer Island still had three games left in the regular season. Mercer Island pushed that undefeated streak to 12-0 in league and 14-0 overall Thusday, as the Islander defense frustrated Interlake with a 3-0 shutout. But that undefeated streak is what keeps the Islanders going in blowouts, such as their game against Interlake.

The Mercer Island defense has stifled many teams this season as no one has scored against the Islanders in over 690 minutes of play. The last time any team scored against Mercer Island was the first meeting against Sammamish on April 5.

The key to the Islander defense has been its front line and tandem of keepers, Alex Haas and David Addison.

“We have both turned out great seasons,” said Addison, who gave up the only goal against the Islanders. “I should have had it. I still think about that one.”

The pair keep a good friendship. Following the game against Interlake, both players congratulated the other with a chest bump. Haas and Addison began the season switching off from game to game. But the pair felt more comfortable splitting the goal-tending duties right down the middle during games.

“We like it better, us each taking a half,” said Haas. “We know that if we give up a goal it is going to hurt. But it won’t matter as long as we still win the game.”

Both Haas and Addison played well in the goal against Interlake as Chuck Vallieres continued his hot scoring on offense for the Islanders.

Mercer Island senior Mike Wong began the play with a hard shot from 20 yards out. The laser beam hit the Interlake goalkeeper in the chest and ricocheted off. The keeper had a second chance to pick up the ball but Vallieres took advantage of the mistake by poking the ball free with his foot and sending it into the goal for the 1-0 lead during the 33rd minute.

Vallieres would return the favor to his teammate during the second half. Vallieres streaked down the left side on a break away and sent a hard shot at the Interlake keeper, who stopped the initial shot, but again dribbled the ball out in front of the goal. Wong also took advantage and finished the play with a kick to the back of the net and the 2-0 lead.

Despite the big lead, the Islander defense had to remain strong as the Saints’ attack was relentless during the second half. As Addison had just three shots taken at the Islander goal and grabbed two saves, Haas was busy during the second half.

Interlake was determined to go down kicking as the team took seven shots-on-goal during the second half and Haas was forced to make a save on each one. The most impressive save came during the 62nd minute of the game as an Interlake player sent a hard pass right and a teammate kicked the ball to Haas’ left in an attempt to catch him off balance. Haas was forced to adjust quickly and make a full extension dive back to his left. Haas barely grabbed the ball to preserve the shutout.

“We could have easily have given up one tonight,” said Newman. “But both keepers are just playing so well right now. We always want a big goose egg on the score board.”

Vallieres added the third and final goal during the 70th minute of the game. Islander Pete Cohen threw the ball in from the sidelines and hit the mark as Vallieres headed the ball but it hit the cross bar and bounced back out. The ricochet led back to Vallieres who again headed the ball, for the final point of the game.

Vallieres scored the game-winning goal May 3 against Sammamish with an assist by Wil Nelp during the 72nd minute.

The Mercer Island dominance this season does not look to be just a flash in the pan. The Mercer Island junior varsity team is also undefeated and the “C” team has only lost a hand full of games.

The Islanders hosted Liberty Tuesday (after Reporter deadline) and hope to complete an undefeated season tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. against Mount Si.