Summer League Championships
Two teams meet atop the Middle School division for a chance to win the Summer League title. The Onondaga and the Mohawk. Mohawk comprised largely of talented Maple Valley players and Onondaga comprised of mostly Seattle players. We were set with a gorgeous day, and two good teams for a good title match.
Mohawk would get on the board first, with a nice bounce shot, but the game would trade leads only once. The key to this game was the transition game. Even in Middle School, the transition game is becoming the point of battle. The midfield made the difference with short benches on both sides, pushing the ball between the stripes and scoring several transition goals. At halftime, Onondaga was leading 4-2 after a few more players showed up to play. From then on, it was who could control the break, and which defense stepped up to slide. the third quarter squarely belonged to the Onondaga team, scoring another four goals. Not to be out done, a fourth quarter rally in the last 10 minutes of play raised the count to 9-4 with heavy battle occurring for every ground ball. Mohawk works tirelessly but cannot convert in the final minutes leaving the ball on the Onondaga defensive half after a hard press. Hats off to both teams and all the Middle School players for a great summer league as we geared up for the Men's Championships.
A storied High School rivalry has developed between Mercer Island and Issaquah. Some of those reasons are playing on the two teams meeting here today as the Mercer Island Alumni and Issaquah Alumni go head to head to see who will be top and take home the Men's Summer League trophy. Both rival coaches and their current and former players are on these teams.
Issaquah gets on the board first, and everyone is wondering what kind of game this will be. Mercer answers back with a Luke Larson low to high and we are tied midway through the first quarter. After several transitions and fast breaks for Mercer, it looks like the score is 4-1 at the end of one. The second quarter brought a goal by Fortier, and Hutchinson as well as Frye adding one. Larson was the story of the night and weight carrier working against either Mason Smith or Mike Gerrard totaling 4 goals and 2 assists. With scores from Pattison, both Mahonys', the score and control lay with Mercer Island as we enter halftime. Mercer Island leads the contest 9-4, but the game would not become close again.
At the start of the second half, Mercer would get possession from face-off, something they have grown accustomed to in controlling three quarters of the face-offs. O'Hearn takes the draws with a big stick, and continues to help control the tempo and possession time for MI. Issaquah finds a bright spot as Tierney shuffles an underhand flip on a diving crease shot scoring another for the Quah. Frye, HutchinsonThe final score would be Mercer Island 14- Issaquah 9. Something great to see was the level of competition between these two teams was better than any Men's Summer League to date. Stop by Ian's shop, Breakaway Sports to see his two trophies this year. High School State Champions, Men's Club Champions and then The Summer League Champions. I guess that makes three. Congratulations to both teams, both played great to get there,and Issaquah played a great game with a short bench. Look to see the Young Alums again in the Alumni Challenge over Christmas!!
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8/14 As the "Endless Summer" draws to an end, the Walax.com Summer Leagues on Mercer Island finish on Monday with the championships for the Middle School and the Men's Club sessions. This year is the first year for the advanced sessions located at Mercer Island, with only the 5/6th grade playing at Marymoor. Next year, all advanced Summer Leagues will be played at Mercer Island, and the playoffs will continue to be a major part of Summer League.
Come check out the Championships starting at Mercer Island Stadium! The Men's Club Championships include an old rivalry between the Mercer Island Alumni, and the Issaquah Alumni starting at 8pm. Mostly comprised of recent graduates, this should be a great game to watch. Issaquah defeated the KAVU team last Thursday in a 9-7 game, while Mercer Island pulled a five goal victory over the Crease Huskies on Friday. Perennial Summer League Kings Team Green, failed to make the playoffs this year, and last year's defending champions won't appear either. The level of Summer League play has increased, and provides an outlet for the College guys who come home from the Summer.
Stay tuned for coached indoor and for Elite Indoor program starting this fall-calling all Varsity Ballers! We will have clinics, an alumni tourney and more!
