A reunion on the soccer field for former Mercer Island standouts

October 10, 2019 2:30 pm
Reis Kissel (left), a defender for Vassar College, and David Braman (right), a midfielder for Skidmore College, have trained together during the summer the last two years to prepare for their college soccer seasons. Photo courtesy of Pat Braman
Reis Kissel (left), a defender for Vassar College, and David Braman (right), a midfielder for Skidmore College, have trained together during the summer the last two years to prepare for their college soccer seasons. Photo courtesy of Pat Braman

Reis Kissel and David Braman, two former Mercer Island boys soccer teammates, found themselves on opposing sides of the pitch when the Vassar College Brewers played the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds on Oct. 5 in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Braman, a senior midfielder and captain for the Thoroughbreds, came out on top with a 2-0 victory over the Brewers in Division III Liberty League play. Kissel, a sophomore defender for the Brewers, led the Islanders to three 3A KingCo league titles before graduating in 2018. Before going to Skidmore College, Braman a 2016 Mercer Island graduate, was given the Steve Newman Spirit Award in 2016, an award handed out to the Mercer Island player who embodies former Islanders head coach Steve Newman.