Washington Boys Help Notre Dame De Namur Clinch Conference Title 

April 17 – The Notre Dame de Namur men’s lacrosse team (DII) clinched the first ever Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (WILA) title with a 13-8 victory over Mesa State. The Argos moved to 7-0 in conference play with the win and have just one game remaining. NDNU put the game away early, scoring the game’s first six goals, including five in the opening period. Greg Bearson (Eastside '06) and Giovanni Midili scored two first period goals each with Jacob Hiyashi (Bainbridge '01) adding another to give the Argos a big cushion early on. 

Welcome back to another edition of the Walax Rundown.  The Easter and Passover holidays have passed as well as another week of high school lacrosse action.  I know it was cheap to mention Lynnwood's folding, but there is a story coming on just that- we promise.  Division I's Big Four continued to march on, but a match-up between Bainbridge and Bellevue proved these teams are closer to each other in skill than previously thought.  Within Division II, Sammamish, Woodinville and Wenatchee are still undefeated although some big games will test those records this week.  Also, if you haven't picked up your copy of the May Issue of Inside Lacrosse Magazine, it features a story on the Issaquah’s Tyler Lucas and an expose on the Washington lacrosse scene.  Washington gets some love on the national stage.

ISSAQUAH- Another strong Eagles performance gives the purple and gold another non-league win.  King's Way opened up scoring with a goal from Clayton Frank.  Issaquah responded with two goals from Jake Fritz and Ben Director and Kevin Powers ended with a nice fake out on an EMO, as Issaquah led 3-2 at the end of the first quarter.  

Despite a 23-8 thumping to the hands of the Simon Fraser Clan, the Washington Huskies are playoff bound in the PNCLL conference.  In the first time in history, the playoff spots are in a three-way tie between Washington, Simon Fraser, Idaho.  The Dawgs must await the winner of the Bosie State-Idaho game and with that winner a complex mathematical evaluation involving goal differential and laxpower.com rankings.  All will determine whether or not the Huskies play at home or travel to Boise or Portland.  Needless to say its mind-boggling.  

Collegiate lacrosse recruiting is no easy process.  Washington, a state farthest from the usual recruiting pool does not always attract the collegiate scouts.  Players from the area do all they can to get noticed and follow their passion for playing.  No one exemplifies that passion and determination than Eric Davidheiser. A native of Vashon Island, Davidheiser took a challenging path to become a player for the Pennsylvania State University, a DI program.  

In what amounts to the second strong game for Bainbridge this season, Bellevue's battered squad suffered defeat at the hands of a passionate fighting Spartan Squad.  It started fast for Bellevue in the first quarter, but Bainbridge warmed up in the second quarter, continued in the third quarter, and held on in the fourth as Bellevue mounted a comeback.

Amidst the lacrosse season we often glance over the fact that our country is still involved in two wars.  The consequences of those still hit home with some in our own lacrosse community.  Last week during the Stealth's game against Rochester, the Team Jesse Foundation was highlighted during the game and at halftime.  Team Jesse was founded in 2007 by current assistant Mercer Island varsity coach Kevin Mincio.  The organization works to help families of fallen soldiers.  Click here for the organization website.