Wolverines downed by unbeaten Islanders; Totems dropped by Northshore in boys lacrosse

Both Bellevue-area boys lacrosse teams suffered similar fates on Thursday as Bellevue and Sammamish fell.

By Josh Suman • April 1, 2011 2:49 pm
Bellevue players prepare for a drill during practice earlier this week.
Bellevue players prepare for a drill during practice earlier this week.

Matt Shields scored three goals to lead Mercer Island over Bellevue 8 – 6, despite a valiant comeback effort in the second half. The loss was the first of the season for the Wolverines and with the win, the Islanders stayed perfect at 6-0-0 to start the year. MI also, at least in some small way, avenged their overtime loss to the Wolverines in last year’s state championship game.

The Islanders rushed out to a 5-1 first quarter lead and extended their advantage to 7 – 2 at the break, seemingly in control.  “Our seniors were pumped up and executing early on,” said Mercer Island coach Ian O’Hearn.

But in the third, Bellevue did not allow a single goal to the visitors from MI and narrowed the gap to 7 – 4. But after a furious second half rally, the Wolverines were unable to dig out of the deficit and could not overcome Mercer Island’s experience.  “Bellevue is a young team, but good – and disciplined. The third quarter was the difference for them.  And we were over confident,” said O’Hearn.

Doug Mahony and Connor Bernal also were major contributors for the Islanders on offense, each netting 2 goals, while Colton Knebel collected nine ground balls.

Six Bellevue players scored in the game and goalkeeper Austin Boyd had 5 saves.

With the win, the Islanders crept within a half game of Northeast Division leading Issaquah, holding on to a second-place tie with Skyline.  With their first loss of the season, the Wolverines slipped to fourth place.

Mercer Island (6-0-0) next travels to Vancouver, to face King’s Way (4-1-0), Friday, April 1 for an 8 p.m. matchup at Columbia River High School and a Saturday

date with Oregon Episcopal in Portland, followed by a three game spring break road swing through Massachusetts.

Bellevue (5-1-0) next embarks on a three-game spring break road swing through Texas.  The Wolverines face Texas High School Lacrosse League schools Coppell on Wednesday, April 6; Highland Park, Friday, April 8; and Plano West, Saturday, April 9.

SCORING HIGHLIGHTS:  Mercer Island 8, Bellevue 6 (Matt Shields, MI, 3 goals;

Doug Mahony, MI, 2 goals, 4 ground balls; Connor Bernal, MI, 2 goals, 4 ground balls; Colton Knebel, MI, 1 goal, 9 ground balls; Brian Bernstein, MI, 7 saves; Blake Samuel, B, 1 goal, 1 ground ball; Peter Brandes, B, 1 goal; Andrew Gulrajani, B, 1 goal, 1 assist; Sam Leggett, B, 1 goal; Nick Hudson, B, 1 goal; Jack Bethke, B, 1 goal; Austin Boyd, B, 5 saves )

Northshore outlasts Sammamish

Foster Wisman and Alex Bus each put in three goals to lift Northshore to an 11 – 6 win over Sammamish.  The win makes fifth place Northshore to 3-4-0 overall.  Division II Sammamish suffered their first loss of the season but still hung on to first place in the Evergreen Division.  Andrew Wenzl led Sammamish scoring with 2 goals and Ryley Martin had a goal and 9 ground balls.

Northshore (3-4-0) next faces Woodinville (5-0-0) on Thursday, April 7 in a 7 p.m. start at Woodinville High School.  Sammamish (6-0-0) travels to Gig Harbor (3-2-0) on Friday, April 1 for a 7 p.m. start at Gig Harbor High School.

SCORING HIGHLIGHTS:  Northshore 11, Sammamish 6 (Foster Wisman, NS, 3 goals, 1 assist, 3 ground balls; Alex Bus, NS, 3 goals, 5 ground balls; Alec Dyngen, NS, 4 saves; Kevin Luo, NS, 1 save; Andrew Wenzl, S, 2 goals, 1 ground ball; Ryley Martin, S, 1 goal, 9 ground balls; Mitch Williams, S, 5 saves)

Mike McQuaid and US Lacrosse Washington contributed to this story.