The Mercer Island boys lacrosse team kicked off its season last weekend with back-to-back games at Islander Stadium. Winning 19-2 in Friday’s opener and surviving a first-quarter scare in a 10–6 win over Tahoma Saturday, March 15, the Islanders improved its record to 2-0.
Tahoma had their way with Mercer Island early on, taking a 4–2 lead on the 2013 state runners-up before coach Ian O’Hearn’s squad got serious. In the second, Islander defenders clamped down on the Bears while allowing its offense to take over, putting up four unanswered goals to take a 6–4 lead into the intermission.
In the third, the stingy Islander defenders again shut down the Bears while adding another goal to make it 7-4. While Tahoma finally managed to score, striking twice in the fourth, Mercer Island continued with pressure adding another three goals to close out the game.
In their season-opener the night before, Mercer Island left no doubt that they are again ready to contend for a state title, as the Islanders easily handled Lakeside 19–2 Friday at Mercer Island High School.
The Islanders came out of the gates with intensity, peppering Lakeside goaltender Lewis Page with 32 shots throughout the game. In the first, Mercer Island outscored the Lions 7–1, then 9–1 in the second for a 16–2 halftime advantage. In the second half, the Islanders added just three more in the third before cruising to the finish.
Senior attack Peter Mahony led Mercer Island with seven goals, while Evan Condon had three goals and two assists along with five ground balls. In goal, Benji Rothenberg had four saves while Page had 13 for the Lions. Michael Drucker and Brennan Van Der Hoeven each scored for Lakeside.
Mercer Island (2-0-0) next faces Lake Washington (1-0-0), at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 at the Kirkland Lacrosse Center. The Kangs are coming off a 13-9 win over Oregon’s Sherwood High School.
Game summary
Mercer Island 10, Tahoma 6 (No scoring detail for Mercer Island; Joe Donahue, T, 2 goals, 3 ground balls; Dakoda Barger, T, 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 ground ball; Hudson Taylor, T, 2 goals; Brody Sullivan, T, 1 goal, 1 ground ball; Dustin Hendrix, T, 14 saves).
Mercer Island 19, Lakeside 2 (Peter Mahony, MI, 7 goals; Evan Condon, MI, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 ground balls; Chase York, MI, 3 goals, 1 assist; Brett Bottomley, MI, 1 goal, 3 assists; Cooper Johnson, MI, 2 goals; Benji Rothenberg, MI, 4 saves; Michael Drucker, L, 1 goal; Brennan Van der Hoeven, L, 1 goal; Lewis Page, L, 13 saves).
