As the regular season enters the final week, the Islanders sit ranked #2 in North League and the State.
In the past two weeks the Maroon have been criss-crossing the Puget Sound, first to Inglemoor (20-5), then across the Sound to Bainbridge (19-8) and back across the freeway to Bellevue (14-2). They had relatively easy matchups against first-year program Inglemoor and rivals Bainbridge. Both games allowed for some great team play as 10 different Islanders were able to post goals during each match-up.
The Islanders only regular season loss was at the hands of nemesis Bellevue in on Oct. 1, playing tough and entering half-time tied 4-4. But, the Wolverines posted 2 unanswered goals in the 3rd quarter and the Islanders did not recover, eventually going down 5-8. They will get another crack at the Wolverines prior to playoffs in the final home game of the season, Wednesday night Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. at the Mercer Island Country Club. Reigning state champs Bellevue, ranked #1 in the state, remains undefeated in league play after pulling out a 12-10 overtime victory against Newport.
The Islanders also beat Newport earlier in the season 10-4 but that was when the Knights were without two key starters including elite Northwest player Lee Griffin. However, the Islanders were able to put away the full-strength Knights at the second and last meeting of the regular season, winning 9-6.
The first quarter was a defensive battle with Newport getting two shot clock violations and unable to convert on a man-up. Topher LeCrampe was able to get the ball in to Seabass Aron for a quick score putting the Islanders up 1-0 at the end of the first quarter. Mercer Island was able to rack up 4 goals in the 2nd quarter holding Newport to only 2. The Islanders continued to exert themselves on the defensive end of the pool amassing 11 steals from 6 different players during the course of the game.
Although Newport came out strong in the second half they were unable to do anything but keep pace with the Islanders in goal production, ending both the third and fourth quarter tied 2-2. The second quarter proved to be the decisive turning point in the game as the Islanders held on for the victory. Goalie Matt LeProwse had 8 blocks while Connor Gullstad lead the team with 4 goals and 4 steals.
Apparently Islander and Knight fans weren’t the only ones watching the game as the Bellevue coaches were spied in the crowd taking notes. Clearly the Wolverines were there to do homework and expect to see the Knights and the Islanders in post-season play. Both teams were worthy of the show.
Box Score vs. Newport
MI 1
4
2
2
9
Newport 0
2
2
2
6
