The Bellevue Wolverines were 12 minutes away from nabbing the Washington Lacrosse Division 1 boys state championship.

Bellevue, who led Mercer Island 7-4 after three quarters of play, were outscored 7-1 in the fourth quarter as Mercer Island completed an improbable come-from-behind 11-8 win to clinch a state title on May 31 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. Mercer Island’s Bryan Glant scored the go-ahead goal, giving Mercer Island an 8-7 lead with 2:55 left in regulation. The Islanders (22-1) avenged their only loss of the season which came courtesy of a 13-9 loss against Bellevue on May 4. Bellevue finished the 2015 season with an overall record of 18-5. Bellevue’s Augustus Fratt, who scored a team-high four goals, was crushed following the loss.

“It will stick with me for the rest of my life, unfortunately,” Fratt said. “We just couldn’t finish the game.”

Bellevue’s Joe Bethke scored two goals in the defeat as well.

Bellevue head coach John Baumann said the loss in the finale couldn’t erase the success his youthful squad had in 2015. Bellevue had just three seniors on the roster.

“It was a successful year. We went beyond our expectations. Nobody thought we would be there. I’m definitely proud of these guys,” Baumann said.

Baumann said his team’s youth showed down the stretch against Mercer Island.

“This one stings. We are young and we have to learn how to finish,” he said. “Mercer Island had a bunch of seniors who really wanted it. Hats off to Mercer Island. I have seen a lot of teams over the years and know that seniors get it done. They got it done. The good news is we got a lot of guys returning next year.”