Eyeing perfection | Prep sports feature
Published 4:01 pm Tuesday, May 8, 2012
When Issaquah takes the field Friday in the regular season finale against Eastlake, there will not be with a playoff berth or top seed on the line.
The Eagles, which wrapped up both of those already, will instead have to settle for a chance to continue a run at history.
Since 2005 the only boys lacrosse team in Washington to finish a lacrosse season undefeated was Woodinville in 2011, when it captured the Division II title with a 14-0 regular season and unblemished run through the playoffs.
Mercer Island (2010) and Tacoma (2006) are the only Division I programs to run the table in the regular season and make the title match, but both were ultimately upset in the final game of the year.
An Issaquah team has never finished the regular season undefeated according to head coach Brandon Fortier, who has been at the helm for 11 seasons.
“We haven’t really been talking about it too much,” said senior Matt O’Neill. “But an undefeated season would be huge.”
O’Neill is one of four seniors who was with the team for its last state title, along with Ben Director, Kole Lindor and Duncan Hamilton.
While Issaquah players and coaches have stayed away from the topic throughout the regular season, it is an unavoidable reality now that the playoffs are near and an undefeated season will be tied to winning a championship.
“It’s one of those things where you can’t ignore it,” Fortier said. “It’s been a fun ride.”
The Eagles have played only four matches this year decided by three goals or fewer, the closest coming in a 7-6 overtime defeat of Bellevue midway through the season. The Wolverines have since gone on to sweep a trio of New York squads and have lost only once since, also by a single goal.
Issaquah players and coaches expect more games like that one in the postseason, which could include also include a rematch with Bainbridge or Mercer Island.
“In years past, we sort of didn’t believe we would get through those games,” Director said. “This year we have risen to the occasion.”
Director and O’Neill have been the leaders on offense and both are in the top-10 in the state in scoring with 31 and 43 goals respectively. Both were adamant that once the playoffs arrive, the only goal will be capturing the program’s third state title in five years.
“If we aren’t able to get it done in the end,” Director said. “The record isn’t going to mean much.”
Contact Josh Suman at jsuman@bellevuereporter.com
