Only two schools have had their names etched into the girls’ water polo state trophy since its inception in 1990. Mercer Island had a chance to break the tie with Bainbridge Island, each taking the title eight times in the last 16 years. But an old KingCo rival spoiled the party Saturday morning at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Newport’s smothering defense held the Islanders scoreless during the first three quarters of the state championship game, as the Knights became just the third team to take the trophy home in a 7-2 victory.

“It feels like we were not all focused on the same goal,” said Mercer Island senior Georgia Gier, who was selected all-state first team. “Defending [the title] was a lot more pressure than winning it the first time.”

Despite the lopsided score, and the fact that the Islanders first goal came 1:56 into the final period, Mercer Island took just one less shots-on-goal (24-23) than Newport during the final.

“All of our shots were low quality,” said Mercer Island coach Mike Goldstein. “Our shots were with someone in our face, shots directly at the goalie or they hit the cross bar.”

The defensive struggle was on both sides of the pool, as Newport had to wait 5:18 into the game to get their first goal. But the Knights struck hard during the final moments of the first half. Newport opened a 4-0 lead as they shot behind the back, from half pool and from in close.

The Knights continued the attack but milked the 30-second shot clock for all it was worth in the third period. However, the Mercer Island defense kept the game close. Newport took three consecutive shots during the final seconds of the third period but Islander goalkeeper Ann Shay, who was named honorable mention all-state, turned all three attempts away.

Mercer Island senior Katie Stadius broke the shutout on a pass from Catie Lawrence. The senior emphatically sent the ball into the Knights goal.

“I just wanted to score and not go out with a zero on the scoreboard,” said Stadius, who was selected all-state first team.

But Newport stretched the lead to 7-1 before Stadius would earn Mercer Island’s second goal of the game.

The Islanders fatigue during the second half against Newport was due to a very physical game against Sammamish in the state semifinals.

“I was tired coming into [the title] game,” said Stadius. “It was a very hard game.”

The semifinals took place late Friday night at the KCAC and Sammamish nearly pulled off the upset, losing 6-5.

Islander Hayley March led the Islanders to victory with four scores, as Emma Peterson and Christina Weed contributed a goal each. Both girls were named second team all-state.

“The other teams in the state are getting more physical,” said Gier. “We try to keep it classy, but I think the dirty play is catching up to us.”

The Islanders began the tournament with a 15-4 thrashing of Roosevelt at Mary Wayte Pool, but all the talk Saturday was about Newport.

“I think they’ll hear about this all summer,” said Goldstein. “I think they’ll rise to the challenge next year.”