Mercer Island ends Issaquah hopes at a state lacrosse three-peat

Issaquah's run at a third consecutive Division I state lacrosse title came a halt Wednesday night with a 4-2 loss to rival Mercer Island. The Eagles were held scoreless through the first three quarters by a stingy Islander defense.

By Reporter Staff • May 27, 2010 2:19 pm
Issaquah sophomore Ben Director looks for an open teammate during the Eagles state semifinal loss to Mercer Island.
Issaquah sophomore Ben Director looks for an open teammate during the Eagles state semifinal loss to Mercer Island.

Issaquah’s run at a third consecutive Division I state lacrosse title came a halt Wednesday night with a 4-2 loss to rival Mercer Island.

The Eagles were held scoreless through the first three quarters by a stingy Islander defense.

Connor Beckwith led the charge, forcing four of Issaquah’s 10 turnovers.

Mercer Island struck first at the 8:39 mark of the first quarter when Matthew Shields took a pass from T. Claes Johnson and beat goalkeeper O’Neil Hughes.

The Islanders scored just 8 seconds later on a goal from Connor Bernal.

In the second quarter, Jonathan Wettack hit Shields, who punched in another goal for a 3-0 Islander lead. Steven Taylor scored at 3:46 of the third for the Islander’s fourth and final goal.

Issaquah finally broke onto the scoreboard with 2:10 left in the fourth quarter when Kevin Powers beat Hap Giraud for a score.

Duncan Hamilton punched in another goal with 18 seconds left in the game, but that was all for Issaquah.

Giraud had 11 saves in goal for the Islanders and Hughes had 14 saves for the Eagles.

Issaquah ended its season with a 16-5 record.

Mercer Island, who will face Bellevue for the state championship, improved to 21-0 and will make their ninth trip to the state tournament in the program’s 18-year history. That game gets underway at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at Seattle’s Memorial Stadium.