The Shields brothers are making a big difference for Mercer Island High School boys lacrosse. A pass by freshman Matt Shields to his brother, Daniel, during the second overtime of the Mercer Island boys lacrosse game against Bainbridge Island resulted in the biggest goal of the season. The rocket shot by Daniel found the back of the Spartan goal to lift the home team to a 7-6 victory on Saturday at Islander Stadium.

The packed stadium, estimated at 1,500 people, watched as Shields’ heroics brought the Bainbridge players to their knees in defeat for the first time this season. The upset gave Mercer Island its biggest win of the season against its biggest rival.

Shields also scored the game-tying goal during the fourth quarter, which forced overtime and led all scorers with four goals overall.

The Spartans led 4-0 before Shields finally got Mercer Island on the board with a minute left in the first quarter. But a Bainbridge goal early in the second put Mercer Island down 5-1 before Islander Jon Wettack and Shield pulled Mercer Island back within two. Wettack and Steve Caditz both scored goals during the third period to tie the game.

Bainbridge Island reclaimed the lead at 6-5 before Shields forced the overtime play. Islander goalkeeper Hap Giraud came up with 15 saves.

The win for the Islanders kept them undefeated in league play at 6-0 and improved their overall record to 8-4.

Mercer Island has had a hiatus since a dismal 0-4 showing during the team’s East Coast trip to New York. During the Islanders’ only game since the trip, they took their frustration out on Seattle Prep, blasting the Panthers 19-0, as Wettack and Daniel Shields scored five goals each.

The Islanders and Issaquah are the only two undefeated teams remaining in the Washington state play. Mercer Island will travel to Bellevue tonight to take on the Wolverines in an 8 p.m. game. Mercer Island will host Issaquah in a battle of the unbeaten teams at 8 p.m. on Friday, at Islander Stadium.