Mercer Island High School’s boys varsity soccer squad kicked out of the gate strong with three consecutive victories in recent weeks.

The Islanders first notched nonleague triumphs over Chief Sealth (3-0) and Silas (1-0) and then powered their boots to a 5-1 win over Interlake in their initial 3A KingCo match on March 14.

“With each pass, each tackle, each movement and each goal, the team moves forward, united in purpose and fueled by the promise of victory,” head coach Fikay Abolade expounded in a team newsletter.

Following the three opening wins, MI tied Lake Washington, 0-0, and then lost to Liberty (Renton), 2-1. MI stood 3-1-1 at press time.

At press time, Ben Park led the MI scoring barrage with three goals, Kaya Gazioglu, Mathias Perrenoud and Woody Brown had two netters apiece and Julian Peters slotted one into the back of the net. Assists have come from Perrenoud (two), Charlie Frink (four), Brown, Peters, Nick Chou, JP Headrick and Cole Nicholson.

Abolade noted that Frink, Park and Alex Findlay have attained key-player status throughout the first run of matches. The former two players have made their mark in the scoring and assisting realms while Findlay has been majorly helping stave off opposing offenses from his center back position by winning headers, one-versus-one battles and more.

The coach supplied a robust rundown of what has made the Islanders excel on the pitch during the early stages of the season: “The best part of this season is the sheer passion each of these boys have for the game, one another. They support each other; they want the best for their teammates. When one person is down, the whole group picks them up. They also don’t rest on their talents, they work hard consistently to be the best each day.”

Senior Riley Cotton, who has committed to play at Gonzaga University, sustained a long-term injury on the opening day of training and has been a spirited supporter whilst on the sidelines, according to Abolade.