Sports

Bellevue Lacrosse Upset by Mercer Island

Undefeated MI upsets state champion Bellevue in boys lacrosse on Thursday night.

BELLEVUE – Matt Shields scored three goals as Mercer Island withstood a strong Bellevue second half, handing the defending state champions their first loss of the season in an 8 – 6 boys Division I high school lacrosse victory Thursday at Bellevue High School. The win propelled the Islanders to a perfect 6-0-0 start and avenged their loss to the Wolverines in last year’s state title game.

The Islanders extended a 5-1 first quarter lead to a healthy 7 – 2 advantage at the half and appeared to be in control. “Our seniors were pumped up and executing early on,” said Mercer Island coach Ian O’Hearn, attributing his club’s fast start to a motivated group of veterans on the field.

But in the third, Bellevue blanked MI to narrow the score to 7 – 4 and again in the fourth, managed to outscore the Islanders. But in the end, the Wolverines were unable to 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. “They slowly crawled back. But we hung on.”

Doug Mahony and Connor Bernal figured prominently in the Islanders’ scoring, each netting 2 goals, while Colton Knebel kept the ball in the offensive zone, collecting 9 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 )

-- Information from Washington State chapter of US Lacrosse

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