Mercer holds off Northshore

Coming into tonight’s game, both teams were looking to prove a point. Mercer Island wanted to show that they could hit mid season stride early in the season, Northshore was looking to show they belonged in division I. Bowen Hadley would score the first goal for Northshore to give his team the lead 1-0. Mercer Island would score the next three goals of the game unanswered and not look back.

The second half would see limited up and down action as Mercer controlled the ball and would continue to push the tempo on defense as well as defense. Mercer’s midfielders dodged at will from up top and distributed the ball evenly as Steven Taylor, freshman Connor Bernal and the top points getter in Division I Danny Shields would all score in the second period. Mercer’s offense would continue to have quality opportunities off excellent ball movement but fail to convert, much to the chagrin of head coach Ian O’Hearn. The sparse possessions that Northshore did control created some action as Hadley would score again along with attack man Jake Dossett who cut nicely through the middle of the defense cutting the Islanders lead to 7-3 at half.

At halftime Northshore Coach Steve Wisman would ask for a stick check on Mercer Island’s defense, and get it. It was odd but about 2 minutes into the 3rd quarter, the refs decided to check the stick. The ball did not come out of the pocket and a 3 min non releasable would be given. Northshore after losing the ball would regain possession and score twice to cut the deficit to 8-5. Back to back goals for Northshore was there first of the game and definitely spark the sidelines as well as the fans.

As the momentum seemed to be shifting, again Mercer looked to their star to step –up. Danny Shields would again score and then assist teammate John Wettack giving the Islanders a 10-6 lead going into the 4th.

Taylor Wisman would have the games first points of the fourth after taking a pass right out of the air from the mercer defense and scoring on a failed clear. #11 was all over the field tonight picking off multiple passes and creating odd man breaks. Midway through the fourth he actually intercepted a shot taken by the goalie and redirected the shot passed the Mercer Goalkeeper 11-7.

Then the Danny shields show continued as he again found teammates Steve Canditz, Bernal and John Wettack pushing the lead to 12-8. Jack Dossett for Northshore would score his second goal of the game pushing Mercers lead back to 3 @ 12-9.

That would be the last goal for Northshore as Caditz would score again followed by back to back goals coming from #19 Graham Horsdal. The game would end with the score being 15-9 in favor of Mercer Island. The islanders stay undefeated but it was apparent that they were disappointed with the way they had played the game due to penalties and missed opportunities to score. Northshore falls to 1-2 on the season.