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Washington High School Boys Lacrosse  >   2005 WHSBLA Division I  >   Game Summary

Game Summary
Result Issaquah 7 at Mercer Island 8
Team Pages
Scheduled 5/28/2005 4:00p Issaquah
Location Qwest Field at Seahawk Stadium Mercer Island
Game Type Playoff
Official(s)
Game Summary Please see Team Summaries, below
Team Summaries Mercer Island Notes:
Mercer Island 5-0-2-1- 8
Issaquah 1-3-1-2- 7

After the longest season in Mercer Island lacrosse history (27 games), traveling back East to play 5 top ranked New York teams and defeating two of Oregon's premier programs (including defending state champs Oregon Episcopal School), the Islanders completed another perfect in-state record finishing with their 3rd Division-1 state championship. This was the 5th consecutive state championship appearance for Mercer Island, and their 2nd consecutive state championship win.

Mercer Island came out strong in the first quarter, playing to the top form that they had achieved many times through out the season, taking a 5-1 lead at the end of the period. Coming into the 2nd quarter slightly over-confident, the Islanders hit the brakes offensively, allowing a very disciplined and determined Issaquah team back into the game. The Eagles capitalized on some nicely placed outside shots and a key man-up opportunity to bring the game within 1 going into halftime.

After regrouping at the half, Mercer was determined to not allow the championship, that they had worked so hard for all year long, slip away. Although the mental and physical fatigue of three hard months of conditioning, practicing, traveling and playing were starting to show, the Islanders were able to lock down on defense, and hold Issaquah to only 3 goals in the 2nd half.

Both teams should be commended for the amazing test of endurance they faced playing under the sun in the 85 degree heat. It was a hard fought game for both teams, and they gave out everything they had left to give.

Issaquah Notes:
Issaquah 1-3-1-2- 7
Mercer Island 5-0-2-1- 8

An incredible season came to a close and unfortunately for Issaquah, it ended a goal short.

Mercer came out focused and Issaquah seemed to come out tentative. The Islanders fired away and Issaquah had trouble adjusting to a zone defense. The result- a five spot for Mercer and a 4 goal lead.

Issaquah began finding holes in the zone, the defense found its timing on slides and the 2nd quarter was a complete turnaround. After Nick Tierney ripped a sidearm laser past Noah Syminton at the 6:25 mark, Issaquah was back to within a goal.

Early in the 3rd quarter, Tierney stripped Adam Brazg, collected the loose ball and dumped it neatly over Symington just before getting pushed and plowing over top of the Islander netminder...tie ball game! But the Islanders responded just over a minute later to regain the lead. Then Kevin Mahony swam through two defenders and finished a great individual effort to put Mercer back up two. Issaquah had some great looks the last half of the 3rd, but couldn't find the net.

Three minutes into the 4th, David Campi snuck one in to cut it back to one. After a timeout at the 6 minute mark, Mercer capitalized on a bit of trickery. Chris Taylor appeared to flip the ball to Mahony up top. Taylor instead caught his own flip, drove the right alley and found Jacob Sonkin. Sonkin ripped it off the left pipe and in to push it back to a two goal lead.

Issaquah wasn't dead. Craigh Cornelius found a cutting Jon Matusiefsky to bring it back to one. Then Issaquah took back to back penalties. Down two men, Issaquah seemed doomed. Garrett Johnson came up with a couple huge saves and with just under a minute left Issaquah won a possession.

Matusiefsky appeared to have room to sneak from behind, but instead he pushed a pass to the crease. The ball was knocked down and rolled to midfield. Cornelius tracked it down and after a couple quick passes had it back. He fired an outside shot with 10 seconds on the clock, but Symington made the save. He cleared the ball and the Islanders had captured the crown.

A remarkable run for a great group of seniors...having started the program only 4 years ago...Matusiefsky, Hutchinson, Robson, Tierney, Cramer, Gunderson, Phillips, Cornelius...you will be missed!

Player Stats
Issaquah Players GPPtsGAHatGB
David Campi 1 2 2 0   1
Craigh Cornelius 1 2 1 1   7
Dustin Cramer 1 0 0 0   6
Brendon Frye 1 0 0 0   1
Mike Gerrard 1 0 0 0   1
Riley Gervais 1 0 0 0   0
Chris Hutchinson 1 0 0 0   2
Jon Matusiefsky 1 3 1 2   1
Andrew Morris 1 0 0 0   0
Spencer Phillips 1 0 0 0   2
Matt Robson 1 0 0 0   5
Harrison Shoff 1 0 0 0   0
Mason Smith 1 0 0 0   6
Nick Tierney 1 4 3 1 Hat 8
Travis Wright 1 0 0 0   0
Issaquah Totals:  15 11 7 4 1 40
Mercer Island Players GPPtsGAHatGB
Hank Bennett 1 0 0 0   3
Adam Brazg 1 0 0 0   6
Jeff Christenson 1 0 0 0   0
Brant Howell 1 0 0 0   2
Ian Kaminski 1 0 0 0   2
Greg Mahony 1 0 0 0   4
Kevin Mahony 1 2 2 0   5
J.T. Neely 1 0 0 0   4
David Sandman 1 2 1 1   3
Jacob Sonkin 1 2 2 0   2
David Stein 1 0 0 0   0
Chris Taylor 1 3 1 2   6
Ben Wickizer 1 0 0 0   2
Ben York 1 2 2 0   5
Mercer Island Totals:  14 11 8 3 0 44

Goalie Stats
Issaquah Goalies GPMinShotsSavesGAGAASv%SOResult
Garrett Johnson 1 48 18 10 8 8.000 0.556 0 L
Mercer Island Goalies GPMinShotsSavesGAGAASv%SOResult
Noah Symington 1 48 27 20 7 7.000 0.741 0 W