Sports
Lacrosse 'Island War' Takes Place This Saturday
Mercer Island Teams of all ages face Bainbridge Island rivals on Mercer Island
If most boys fans had to pick one game to watch this season, .
The annual “Island War” between several teams from different age brackets from Bainbridge and Mercer Island takes place this Saturday, May 7, with facing off at and fields. The grand finale between (15-2) and Bainbridge Island (11-1) boys varsity teams will take place at 7 p.m. at in an out-of-conference contest
The "Island War" is an annual event that rotates between the two island communities, which . Last year several hundred Mercer Island lacrosse players traveled on the ferry to Bainbridge for a day full of games, and this year the Bainbridge players will make the trip here.
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For nearly 20 years, the annual matchup between the Island communities’ varsity lacrosse teams has attracted regional — and often national — attention. The stakes are especially high for this year’s competition, as Mercer Island stands undefeated 8-0 in their division, and Bainbridge has lost just one game the entire season (to Issaquah).
About five years ago, the Island War began including teams with youth players from third grade through high school; this year eight games will take place on a total of four Mercer Island fields. Games begin at 3 pm at all four locations: MIHS , MIHS “Upper North” field, Islander Middle School Turf Field and Islander Middle School Sunken Field, and conclude with the Varsity matchup at 7 pm at the Stadium.
Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Last year Mercer Island players were victorious in all nine matchups, with MIHS Varsity shutting out its rival 13-0.
Mercer Island and Bainbridge Island teams have long been considered friendly rivals. In 2002 and 2003, Bainbridge beat the Islanders in the Washington State Championship; in 2004, Mercer Island topped Bainbridge. After two years in which MI reigned over Issaquah in the Championships, MI and Bainbridge faced each other again in 2007, and Bainbridge won.
The Concessions Stand opens at MIHS Stadium at 3 pm, where offerings will include “Coach Dave’s” Famous BBQ.
Following is this Saturday’s schedule:
MIHS Islander Stadium
MIHS F/S vs BI F/S 3 pm - 5 pm
MIHS J.V. vs BI J.V. 5 pm - 7 pm
MIHS Varsity vs Bainbridge 7 pm - 9 pm
IMS Turf
MI 7/8 Maroon vs BI 7/8 3pm - 5pm
MI 7/8 Black vs BI 7/8 5 pm – 7 pm
Upper North
MI 5/6 White vs BI 5/6 3 pm - 5 pm
MI 5/6 Maroon vs BI 5/6 5 pm - 7 pm
IMS Sunken Field
MI 3/4 Lakeridge Lions vs BI 3/4 3pm-5pm
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