MI Lacrosse Undefeated in NW Invitational

enjoyed an impressive weekend of three victories over three Portland, Ore. area schools while hosting the 6th annual Northwest Invitational Lacrosse Tournament at .

The Islanders (5-0-0) opened the tourney last Thursday with an impressive win over Lakeridge (Lake Oswego, Ore.), 17-6. The Islanders jumped out to a 9-3 halftime lead behind the dominating faceoff work of Colton Knebel. Lakeridge, a semifinalist in the 2010 Oregon state championships, entered the game at 2-0 with wins over Jesuit and Tigard. Connor Bernal and Knebel each added 3 goals and Brian Bernstein had 13 saves in goal for the Islanders. 

On Saturday, Mercer Island dominated Sunset (Portland, Ore.), 15-7. Connor Bernal scored 4 goals and 4 assists. Colton Knebel delivered 4 points in the win, but his 10 ground balls help dish up the high productive Islander offense. Tucker Vassau had 14 saves in goal for the Islanders.

Wrapping up the tournament on Sunday, Doug Mahony scored 4 goals and Colton Knebel netted 3 to drive Mercer Island’s offense in a 13 – 9 defeat of Lincoln (Portland, Ore.). Mahony’s offensive output gives him 15 goals on the season. Other offensive contributors for the Islanders included Grant Preisler and Alex Robbs with 2 goals, and T. Claes Johnson with 4 assists. Brian Bernstein had 9 saves in goal.  

In other NW invitational action on Sunday, Bainbridge also went undefeated in the tournament, downing Oregon Episcopal School 9 – 8, Centennial (Nev.) downed Timberline (Ore.) 21 – 9, and Claremont (BC) downed Palo Verde (Nev.) 12 – 5. 

The annual high school tournament was held at and , featuring 14 lacrosse squads from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and British Columbia including the state champions from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Nevada.

Mercer Island faces Bellevue on Thursday, March 31 in an 8 p.m. start at Bellevue High School. 

SCORING HIGHLIGHTS:  

Mercer Island 17, Lakeridge (Ore.) 6 (Matt Shields, MI, 5 goals, 2 assists, 1 ground ball; Doug Mahony, MI, 4 goals, 2 assists, 8 ground balls; Connor Bernal, MI, 3 goals, 1 assist, 2 ground balls; Colton Knebel, MI, 3 goals, 8 ground balls; Brian Bernstein, MI, 13 saves; Michael Hoch, L, 3 goals, 2 ground balls; Clark Salamie, L, 6 saves)

Mercer Island 15, Sunset (Ore.) 7 (Connor Bernal, MI, 4 goals, 4 assists; Colton Knebel, MI, 3 goals, 1 assist; 10 ground balls; Matt Shields, MI, 3 goals, 4 ground balls; Tucker Vassau, MI, 14 saves)

Mercer Island 13, Lincoln (Ore) 9 (Doug Mahony, MI, 4 goals, 2 ground balls; Colton Knebel, MI, 3 goals, 7 ground balls; Grant Preisler, MI, 2 goals, 3 ground balls; Alex Robbs, MI, 2 goals, 1 ground balls; T. Claes Johnson, MI, 4 assists; Brian Bernstein, MI, 9 saves)