DII State Championship: Seattle Prep Northshore Battle Royale

Ninety-degree weather and blue skies set the stage for the division two boy’s championship bout. Both teams enter Memorial Stadium determined, Seattle Prep earning their right to play after beating Redmond last Wednesday, and Northshore having dominated Overlake.

The first quarter jitters end rapidly as Seattle Prep’s Arthur Stacey puts his team on the board first after sprinting down the center and finishing top-right after a Northshore turnover. Despite the early goal, defensive match-ups on the Northshore side prove to be key; led by Chris Lee who strangled Prep’s high-powered offense. Northshore’s Taylor Wisman responds to Stacey’s goal after receiving a crisp pass from Jake Dosset to bring the score to an even 1-1.  Additionally, Foster Wisman initiates the offense from the face-off x winning five of the last eight. By the close of the first the score is 3-1 Northshore.

Seattle Prep head coach Dan Mirsky bellows to his team, “patient we have to be patient,” following the first quarter disappointment. Despite, his calming words Prep is unable to retain possession after winning the initial face. This act would prove to be foreshadowing as Prep’s inability to create off of transition hurt them throughout the rest of the half. With the offense struggling, the defense seemed to be tiring as a result. Moreover, the Northshore offense was able to take advantage of a series of mistakes allowing Foster Wisman to take a rip from top center bringing the score 5-2, Northshore. Hoping to take away Northshore’s momentum, junior David Schoettler forces his defender to bite on a dodge giving him room to take a nice lefty shot that finished bottom right. By the end of the half Northshore still has the lead.

The start of the third has Prep fans willing their team back to life.  Even though Prep’s players aren’t finding a way through Northshore’s Stuart Dransfield, the Prep players seem to be dominating the field athletically. This domination takes a toll on the Northshore players as their defensive play worsens creating a man-down situation. Towards the end of the third Prep brings the score within one after standout performances by freshman, Peter Christiansen and their defensive leader AJ Wilkens.

By the start of the fourth the score is 10-8, Northshore and the fans are alive. Continuous back-and-forth play has the score within one. Northshore is relying solely on the Gilman clear as Prep increases the pressure on rides.  With one minute remaining the score is 12-11 and the ball lay in the hands of Taylor Wisman. Wisman sprints back and forth behind the cage as Preps Charlie Motzer and AJ Wilkens double the ball. Even though, Prep is able to get possession only five seconds remain in the game, and their last shot (from 40 yards out), misses wide left.  Northshore ends Prep’s 17 game-winning streak in an incredibly hard fought battle.  Dossett's strong day ended with a 3g2a and both Wisman brothers had a 3g1a days to lead Northshore to their first ever state Championship.

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