Issaquah beats Bellevue, alone in first | Prep sports news

The Eagles are alone atop the conference in boys lacrosse, after knocking off two-time defending state champion Bellevue for the second time in three seasons

Before its game against Bellevue last week, Issaquah coach Brandon Fortier called out his defense.

Against the nationally-ranked Wolverines, his squad responded.

The Eagles are one of only two remaining unbeaten teams in the KingCo lacrosse conference, after beating Bellevue 6-5 April 25.

Six different players scored a goal for Issaquah, with Zach Fritz, Ryan Egland and Matt Thomas also tacking on an assist in the win.

Fortier said focusing the defensive pressure on Division I bound Eric Haehl and Hank Bethke was the key to a victory.

“We recognized all their goal scoring was coming from five or six yards out,” he said. “We really focused on helping down from the top.”

The loss was the first against a Washington foe in more than two calendar years for the Wolverines, as the Eagles kept pace with fellow unbeaten Mercer Island for the top spot to the state tournament.

The Islanders travel to Issaquah tonight for an 8 p.m. game that will go a long way to deciding the regular season conference champ, which also comes with a first round playoff bye.

“We talked about not having a letdown immediately after,” he said, adding his team came back the following day by blowing out Liberty 17-0. “Now, as exciting as that was, it kind of makes this game even bigger against Mercer Island.”

Skyline is 5-2-0 in conference play, and found itself in fourth place at the Reporter’s deadline.

The Spartans dominated Mount Si on Wednesday, posting a 17-1 win, and host Newport at 8 p.m. Friday looking to keep pace in the conference race.

Eastlake is just behind its Plateau neighbor in the standings, and will need to make up some ground in order to wrap up a second consecutive playoff berth.

The Wolves beat Roosevelt 12-1 on Tuesday, and host Lake Washington Thursday.

Eastside Catholic is still perfect in Metro play and sports an 11-0-0 overall record after a 10-4 win over Auburn-Riverside last week.

The Crusaders, which will be after a third straight semi-final playoff appearance when the postseason begins, beat Kennedy Catholic 21-2 on Tuesday and meet Overlake Thursday.