Seattle Prep vs. Mercer Island

Mercer Island wins the first face-off, taking possession and fires the first shot from Greg Mahony who is being covered by Shane O'Neill as a long stick! 

Mahony's first shot is wide, but his second rockets past the Prep keeper to score 1-0 with 9:16 left in the first quarter of play. Greg Mahony bangs in number two just 30 seconds after the first, and Mercer looks to be back to form. After gaining possession, Prep has a couple of shots running their settled offense, but then turns over the ball for MI possession. MI is controlling the ball when Kevin Mahony rips a burner on Prep making it MI 3 Prep 0 with 2:16 left on the clock in the first quarter. Taylor feeds Frankel off the wing for another inside goal off-stick side.  MI has taken control of the game, and the possession time in the first quarter.

After some more possession time, Mahony rips an underhand top right to make the score 5-0 with 11 minutes left in the half. Prep wins the face-off and gets a shot in transition, but turns over to MI who possesses the ball though trading possessions with the Panthers and forces back and forth turn overs for both teams.  Mercer Island is controlling the ball on offense, and working the ball around patiently.  After controlling the ball, MI drives from behind and AJ Ellis pump fakes and scores unassisted.  The score going into the half is 6-0 Mercer Island who has controlled the first half.  MI has 16 shots to Preps 6 and 19 ground balls at halftime.

To start the second half, Prep comes out like they are really ready to play. Prep wins the first face-off, they have been alternating Parietti, Merrill and O'Neill on face-offs, to find the right combination.  After gaining possession, AP gets a run up top and drives the cage for the first prep goal with a top shelf cannon. After a face-off won by MI, MI turns it over only to have Prep lose it and clear the ball from Schwartz. Parietti steals a pass moved from behind the cage, and moves the ball to AB who hits Michael Sangoerzan who rings it in for the 2nd unanswered prep goal. You can feel the momentum go to prep, who is playing with everything they have.  Hustle on defense and ground balls, and taking good care of the ball not to force tremendous turn-overs is helping prep right now.

Prep takes several shots and turns it over but AB intercepts the clear for a 1-on-1 with Schwartz, and scores the third unanswered goal. MI is having some challenges with the Prep ride in keeping possession on their half of the stripes.  Prep wins the face-off and moves the ball behind to Spano pulling Brazg out and drives inside to feed Bjorkman a dump that rolls by Schwartz. Prep has scored four unanswered goals in the third quarter and is dominating the ball right now.  Another Prep possession leads to a shot saved by Stopped by Schwartz but not controlled and is then, picked up by AP for a dunk to make it 6-5 in the third.  Prep is on fire when again a possession by Prep sends a feed to AB for a shot and score making it 6-6 with 5 minutes left in the third. Prep has scored the last six goals unanswered and Mercer doesn't seem to have the answer.

Parietti has been playing midfield and is leading a recharged powerful Prep offense running right at MI who has decided to play again late in the third. Another shot just wide by prep with 1:30 left in the third. Getting some momentum back, MI tries to slow the pace of the game down with each possession, and a quick Greg Mahony gets a shot off stick to score for MI making the score 7-6. From the face-off, Prep gets possession with O'Neil behind the cage, then a feed stripped and moved up to Greg Mahony who draws a man down on O'Neil.  MI gets a one-minute EMO opportunity that they need to take advantage of here.  During the quick transition following, another penalty, offsides this time, is called making prep 2 men down until the end of the period. MI leads 7-6 at the beginning of the fourth. MI shots 4 and 5 ground balls Prep shots 10 and 16 ground balls.

Prep kills both penalties and gets the ball and all the momentum with 11 minutes in the game. Prep gets a shot on cage, but no goal. After some ground ball fighting, the game's intensity has jumped up dramatically.  MI gets the ball and looks to possess with 8 minutes left and a one-goal lead.  MI looks like a boxer tying up his opponent, trying to manage their game. Prep gets a ground ball and Thayer makes a nice pass to Bjorkman who drives down on a two-on-one hitting AP for another goal making it 7-7. Bjorkman seems to be commanding the offense with smart feeds, shots and field sense.
MI tries to slow it down, and the Mahony connection scores another with a feed from Kevin to Greg who shoots a burner high off-stick side making it 8-7. MI needs to balance their offense here, MI has their two midfield cannons shooting and prep is firing on all cylinders, what a great game! Greg Mahony takes a shot backed up by Ellis behind the cage who fires it right back to Greg Mahony for the score, it is now 9-7 with 2:44 seconds left. 

Prep gets a penalty for a late hit and gives MI a one-minute penalty allowing them time to kill though they are down by two goals. A Mahony shot outside the cage looked like it went in, and Kevin grabbed the ball and shot over the keeper's shoulder making the MI lead, 10-7. This was Prep's game until the last five minutes of play. Prep feels like the semi-finals for the state championship two years ago, the haven't won at Mercer in the last six outings at Mercer Island Stadium. AP gets the ball and tries to make something happen with a pair of shots, but cannot. MI gets the ball on a Howell clear, when MI calls a timeout with 40 seconds left to work a play.  MI turns the ball over with 20 seconds left to Prep. A shot from Bjorkman with four seconds left doesn't convert making the final score Islanders 10, Seattle Prep 7.  MI had 31 shots versus Prep's 20 shots.  MI ground ball totals were 33 and Prep with 24.  Notable performances came from both the Mahony bothers: Kevin with 4 goals and one assist, Greg with four goals.  Prep delivered great performances from everyone to be honest in their best quality game to date, and specifically, Parietti going 3 and 1 and Bjorkman who finishes 2 and 2.