By CAROL GULLSTAD

Special to the Reporter

For the second time during the 2018 season, the Mercer Island Islanders boys water polo team was victorious against the Puyallup Vikings.

Mercer Island earned a 13-8 victory against Puyallup on Sept. 27. The Islanders defeated the Vikings on Sept. 18 as well. Puyallup took an early 1-0 lead after the first quarter of play was completed.

The Islands outscored the Vikings 13-7 throughout the final three quarters of play. Mercer Island scored six unanswered goals in the third quarter, building a 10-4 lead. Mercer Island player Leif Gullstad finished the game with six goals, two assists and three steals. Cole Brittain and Nate Robinson each scored two goals apiece as well. Will Cero, Max Vacca and Jack Shoop each scored a goal in the triumph. Mercer Island goalie Jacob Swerland had eight saves and teammate Finn Friedland had three saves between the posts.

Gullstad was thrilled to see his team rebound from a scoreless first quarter.

“Before the game we were overconfident and came out flat. It took us a whole half to adjust to the abnormally narrow pool and hit our stride,” Gullstad said.