The Mercer Island girls lacrosse team knew that playing Lakeside would be a challenge last Wednesday night.

After all, the Lions trailed only Bainbridge Island for the best record in the state at 9-1-1. But the roar of the Lions’ offense nearly blew Mercer Island faithful out of the stadium when they took an 11-1 lead. The Islanders would cut that lead during the fourth but still lose 13-7.

Lakeside powered through the first three minutes of the game by building a 3-0 lead. Islander Caroline Mahony took things into her own hands following the next face-off. Mahony charged down the field directly for the Lions’ goal and put the ball into the back of the net to cut the lead to 3-1. But that would be all the offense Mercer Island would get for awhile.

Eight unanswered goals by Lakeside made the game look like it would be a total blowout just two minutes into the second half.

But it was senior night for the Islanders, and they weren’t about to be blown away during their final game at Islander Stadium.

Mercer Island senior Erin Gibson scored her team’s second goal of the game, 7:45 minutes into the second half. Teammate and senior Lisa Blau-Elliott connected on a free-position shot to cut the lead to 11-3. The momentum swung as senior Victoria Bachman found Mahony on the fly for the team’s fourth goal. Bachman again found a teammate at the right time as Lauren Ito scored. Mahony returned the favor, finding Bachman charging in from the left side. Mahony took one herself to cut the lead to 11-7, pulling within a reasonable margin.

But the Lions regrouped with three minutes left in the game, scoring two unanswered points.

The loss drops Mercer Island into a virtual tie with Forrest Ridge in the East Division standings.

The Islanders played their final game of the season on Monday at Tacoma Middle School (after Reporter deadline).

The Islanders have already qualified for the playoffs, which will begin this weekend.