Boys HS Lacrosse

*Bainbridge gave Mercer Island a good run for 3 quarters, but the Islanders showed why they are unbeaten, wearing down the Spartans in the 4^th quarter and pulling away. Mercer struck first; Zach Smith tied it for Bainbridge directly from the ensuing face-off. A back and forth first quarter, then Mercer pulled away late in the 2^nd. The Islanders scored twice in the final two minutes to turn a close game into a 10-5 halftime lead. Many assumed the game was over�some fans even left�and the Islanders came out in the 3^rd as if they thought the Spartans were finished as well. Not so fast�two quick goals made it 10-7. Mercer got one back before Bainbridge went on a 4-0 run tying the game at 11! During the run, Zach Smith cut open his head that would later require 8 stitches to close�he �left it all on the field� as they say. It looked like this one would come down to the wire. Mercer regained composure and took the lead back 12-11 going into the 4^th. The Islander defense buckled down and pitched a 4^th quarter shutout and Mercer pulled away for the 18-11 victory.

*Issaquah ended Garfield�s 8 game unbeaten streak by a count of 12-11. Issaquah did little to control Drew Snider as he still went for 5 goals, 2 assists. However, Issaquah had a 5 goal scorer of their own, David Campi, and the 12 goals was the most Jason Montoya and the Bulldog defense had allowed all year. Garrett Johnson came up big in net, out-dueling his counterpart, Montoya, with 19 saves.

*Maple Valley continues to come up with key wins and creep closer and closer to clinching a playoff spot. Despite a midweek loss to Bainbridge, the Vandals knocked off Seattle Prep in a game that saw more goals than defense�a style Maple Valley isn�t accustomed to. Nevertheless, Matt Gooch scored 4 goals as did Chad Hutchison. Hutchison also had 2 assists to lead the Vandals with 6 pts. Prep almost came back helped by a 3-minute stick penalty to start the 4^th. Maple Valley held though and Connor Fischesser made 19 saves in the win.

DAVID AXELROD, Lakeside, Attack, Senior� Coming off a tough loss to Maple Valley last week, Axelrod scored 4 goals to help Lakeside defeat metro rival Seattle Prep. After a tough midweek loss to Vashon, Axelrod rebounded again. This time he registered a career high 9 points, again scoring 4 goals and feeding on 5 others to lead the Lions to a big win over Eastside. David ranks in the top 10 in both goals and overall points.

SHANE O�NEILL, Seattle Prep, Midfield, Junior� After earning 2^nd team all-state honors in 2004 at attack, Shane converted to midfield to help lead a young Panther squad. It has been a relatively challenging season, but O�Neill has remained positive and had a breakout week. He registered a season high 7 points, scoring a season high 5 goals in leading Prep to a victory over Curtis. The win helps the Panthers stay alive for the last playoff spot. O�Neill tallied 5 points in a tough loss to Maple Valley giving him 12 for the week.

5/3 Mercer Island @ Issaquah�Part II- Mercer looking to wrap up the Mountain Conference.

5/6 Eastside @ Bainbridge�Quarterfinal playoff preview if standings remain the same.

5/7 Roughriders @ Nathan Hale�Match-up will help decide last playoff spot in the Sound.

*This week went a long way to proving what many already knew�Vashon is the class of this year�s Division II group. They started the week with an 18-8 win over Port Angeles. Despite the 10 point margin, the game, Vashon only led 8-7 headed to the 3^rd quarter. Then Dane Loraas led a ridiculous 10 goal outburst, scoring 6 goals himself in the 4^th quarter. He finished with 8 goals, 2 assists. On Thursday, Vashon hosted Lakeside. Lakeside is currently 6-4 and in playoff position in Division I. Playing without Loraas, Vashon defended their home turf and earned a well deserved 8-7 victory. Two days later they dismantled a Whatcom squad that had been on a roll. More impressive, they did so without their entire starting attack. Vashon has talent and depth and is out in front of Division II by two full games.

*Congratulations to two first year programs, Stanwood and Lynnwood. Each program notched their first ever victory by taking down North Kitsap. Lynnwood got 5 goals from Kyton Blair to defeat the Vikings 13-4 early in the week. Stanwood won 8-3 later in the week.

MICHAEL SERKO, Vashon, Midfield, Junior� Michael stepped up and filled some big shoes this week, leading Vashon to two big victories. He registered 3goals, 2 assists in an 8-7 win over Division I rival, Lakeside. Two days later, Serko filled in at attack and equaled those numbers. 10 poitns in two games nearly equaled his total of 11pts in Vashon�s previous 6 games.

JEREMY HIGUCHI, Franklin, Midfield, Senior� Jeremy had averaged a respectable 3 pts per game through the Quakers first 5 games, unfortunately all losses. But, this week, Jeremy doubled his average, scoring 4 goals and dishing 2 assists (6 points) in leading Franklin to its first win of the year.

JUSTIN DAHL, Stanwood, Midfield, Senior� One of just a few seniors helping lead a new program, Justin gathered 14 groundballs and scored 3 goals in Stanwood to the program first ever Varsity lacrosse win. His 14 groundballs also raised him to 5^th overall in Division II with 56 groundballs.

5/3 Overlake @ Vashon� Vashon�s guns have been sidelined, Owls gave them a scare 3 weeks ago.

5/4 Snohomish @ Whatcom�Panthers need a 2 goal win to reclaim control of the conference.

4/23 Overlake @ Port Angles� Owls need win over an Olympic foe to keep pace with Eastlake.