Can
you believe another season already in the books? And what an epic ending it was! If you weren’t able to see it in person check
out Comcast’s On Demand menu soon under Local Sports. Also, make sure to tune into The Varsity News
Wednesday night on Fox Sports (or online the next day) for highlights from
championship weekend. This past week’s Varsity News (Episode
#38) includes playoff highlights from the first and second rounds.
The Division I Stroll…
- Biggest stories from the week that was:
- Bellevue surprised everyone but themselves with a 13-3 smackdown of Bainbridge to earn their first spot in the Division I Championship since 1992! Many had looked as Bainbridge as a sleeper since the Spartans had improved much at season’s end, but Bellevue left little doubt and rolled into the semis.
- Mercer Island earned the other spot in the finals with a yawner of a 4-2 defensive struggle over Issaquah. Both team’s defenses and keepers played very well, but Mercer had too much possession and Issaquah had no offensive answers for Mercer’s pressure. The Islanders ground it out and reached their 9th state championship appearance in 10 years.
- An interesting story involving the Overlake lacrosse team: As a small 1A school Overlake competes in soccer in the fall, however the class 1A championship is not held until the spring. Turns out several members of the soccer team are also spring sports athletes, meaning they had to pull double duty. What the story doesn’t mention is that in addition to the tennis players, Overlake’s soccer roster also includes several from Overlake’s lacrosse roster!
- As mentioned, the final was simply epic. The Seattle Times article just doesn’t nearly give the game its due. Teams traded punches early and Bellevue took a 4-2 lead on a ridiculous solo effort from Brett Mennella coming from behind the cage. Bellevue then squandered several good chances, including two man-up opportunities, to take a bigger lead. This allowed Mercer momentum to get back in it and the Islanders tied the game by halftime at 4-4. Mercer then put on a third quarter surge behind two straight goals from Colton Knebel to take a two goal lead of their own at 6-4 after three quarters. Mennella’s man-up goal early in the 4th cut the lead to one, but Mercer rebounded to put it back to a two goal margin with six minutes to play. Bellevue’s magical run began with four and half to play as Eric Omri put home his second of the night. Inside two minutes left Bellevue pressed out and stripped the ball. A Mercer player recovered and a great timeout call just prior to the Islanders stepping out of the box saved the possession. Bellevue doubled the ball right out of the timeout, but Mercer split the double and was able to carry behind. The Wolverines countered though and were able to force the Islander ball carrier off the endline. Bellevue cleared and called timeout with 52 seconds to play. The ball began with Cole Nordstrom and after it swung around, Omri would again step to the plate and deliver, bouncing one home with 26 seconds left to tie it up! Mercer one the faceoff but never got a good look and the game went to overtime. Just before the overtime period was to start, Bellevue called for a stick check and Mercer was found to have an illegal stick so Bellevue started the extra frame a man-up… an absolute huge turn of events! Bellevue seemed to waste the opportunity though, afraid to force anything. They finally took a shot as the penalty was near over and though they shot wide they retained possession. Nordtrom then drove and found Mennella on the high crease, where he turned and fired just wide… almost a reply of the combination that beat Issaquah in overtime earlier in the year. After a timeout, Nordstrom again started with the ball. Mercer’s Connor Beckwith stopped his drive and actually stripped the ball but Nordstrom made a great recovery to win the ball back and quickly moved the ball to Ryan Deal. Deal wound up as if to fire from the outside which got his defender to flinch just enough. Deal hitch stepped around him and put a bouncer on cage as he fell forward. The ball found the back of the net and Mercer’s perfect season was erased. Bellevue captured its first Division I State Championship since 1991! It was the first Division I State Championship that went to overtime since Bainbridge beat Eastside in 1995. Again, if you missed it, stay tuned to Comcast On Demand and The Varsity News later this week for the full game and highlights.
- Standouts:
- O’Neil Hughes, SO, Issaquah –Not the team result he had hoped for, but the young netminder posted a season high 13 saves in helping hold Mercer Island to a season low 4 goals scored in Issaquah’s semifinal defeat.
- Brett Mennella, SR, Bellevue – The crafty attackman put rumblings of his being named All-American to rest by finishing his career in style… 4 goals, 3 assists in the semifinals against Bainbridge and another 2 goals (including a sensational goal you need to see video of) to help Bellevue capture the state title.
- Ryan Deal, SR, Bellevue – He could be on this list just for scoring the overtime game winner, but the attackman recorded 4 goals and an assist in the semifinals in addition to his first quarter goal to start the state championship!
The D2 Stroll…
- Biggest stories from the week that was:
- A semifinal game in Wenatchee that went to overtime and an upstart group of small town island folks making it all the way to the championship game in the big city… at the very least, the year in Division II was exciting. The best part: The game continues to grow in all parts of the state!
- Wenatchee gave Lynnwood all it could handle as the Tigers needed a Cam Girgus tying goal with 13 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Girgus would then get the game winner just 53 seconds into the sudden-death period to send Lynnwood back over the mountains with a shot at a title.
- San Juan made it 2 for 2 for the road team and they ran off 4 goals late against Lake Washington to leave the Kangs stunned. The Dragons stormed the opponent’s home field and celebrated the 9-8 victory all the way back to Friday Harbor.
- In the Championship game, San Juan jumped to the early lead and appeared to be a game opponent, but the Tigers were just too much. Lynnwood poured it on in the 3rd quarter to extend to a 16-6 lead. San Juan got one back in the 4th quarter and held their heads high in closing out a remarkable season with a tough loss.
- Standouts:
- Alex Tindall, SR, Lynnwood – The midfielder simply has to be the Player of the Year in Division II. After scoring 4 goals, dishing 2 assists and tracking down 11 groundballs in the semifinals, the senior recorded another 5 goals in helping lead the Tigers to their first Division II Championship.
- Mitchell Parks and Connor Tidd, Wenatchee – Gave Lynnwood fits and took them to the brink of elimination. Parks had 3 goals and 14 groundballs while Tidd posted 5 goals, 1 assist and 7 groundballs in closing out a fabulous season for the boys from the east.
Lacrosse The Country…
Yale’s Greg Mahony (Mercer Island) was named 2nd Team All-Ivy League!
Taylor Wisman (Northshore) and Taylor Dean (Curtis) were both selected to compete for the West Squad at the 2010 US Lacrosse Senior Showcase.
Lacrosse Four Thought…
Which programs will be on the move in 2011?
Who is on your 2011 Preseason Players to Watch list?
What are your early predictions for 2011 state champions
Will the WHSBLA pass the 50 program mark next season?
Parting Shots…
·
“There are 14 schools
King’s Way may draw from. They may only have players from 7 schools
presently, but if players are available from the other 7 schools they are able
to play for that one team – King’s Way. That is just simply a huge pool
of potential players to draw upon! A lot different than building a team
with only the approximately 300 boys from Eastside Catholic, or the 260 boys
from Lakeside, or the 340 boys at Seattle Prep, or the 260 boys at
Overlake. Think of the team that could be built if you combine the
players from those four previously mentioned schools and still added boys from
three others” – Seattle Lax Fan
·
“Props to Patrick Boyd whom correctly pointed out the
great storyline developing(back in Week 7) in the successful season being had by San
Juan. Will be interesting to see how
they rebuild next season after graduating 14 seniors from a 26-man roster.” –
The Sunday Stroll Staff
Comments? Feedback? Questions? EMAIL: TheSundayStroll@gmail.com