Rundown Week Five

Here we are again with another Walax Rundown. Some new shake ups with rankings, cause everyone loves a good number next to their teams.  In Division II only three teams remain undefeated, while the Metro conference has settled. In Division I, some unfortunate news with Lynnwood, as their high school season was canceled for the rest of the season. Just a little over a year ago they were a championship team in Division II, much difference a year makes. However, the season continues. Some new teams are playing well, catching the radar and should be ushering in the high octane games of late April and May.

Division I                                     Division II

1) Mercer Island                           1) Sammamish

2) Bainbridge Island                     2) Woodinville

3) Bellevue                                   3) Wenatchee

4) Issaquah                                  4) Garfield

5) King's Way                                5) Providence

6) Skyline                                      6) Snohomish

7) Curtis                                        7) Blanchet

8) Eastside Catholic                      8) Klahowya

9 )Tacoma                                     9) Three Rivers

10) Northshore                            10) Ballard

"Who is Ripping the Duck?" 

Thought we would bring out some lacrosse slang this week.  No game exemplified the expression than the "Shootout at the Sammamish Corral" last week between plateau neighbors Skyline and Eastside Catholic.  Both teams combined for 41 goals total in a Crusader win 22-19.  Perhaps the league's highest scoring game in history saw seven players between both teams with hat tricks.  Uncertainties loom with pushing Eastside Catholic into the top ten and whether beating a dark horse and allowing 19 goals is a legitimate case. Both teams lacked fundamentals and communication lacked between both teams.  It was just a quack attack on both goalies, c'mon poles give them a break!  On the flip side, Mike Rambaldini and Colin MacIlvennie are the real deal threats on offense.  Skyline's brilliance lays with Jack Pruitt, the Zenyatta of midfielder.  The win is big for their program as they move their way up the DI ranks.  Their sands will be put to the test against Issaquah this week. As for Skyline, if they can all be healthy for a stint this season they would avoid games like this.  

In heavyweight action Mercer Island dropped Issaquah 8-3 in an I-90 Rivalry match.  A game with little tempo and flow saw Mercer Island goalie Brian Bernstein making big saves on the usually explosive Issaquah offense.  Issaquah has extending their losing streak to four games since last week's New Jersey campaign.  However, in the loss the Eagles showed promise in strong riding and transition, which frustrated the Islanders most of the night.  North of Lake Washington, Foster Wisman returned to the Northshore line up scoring four goals and one assist in their 18-1 win over Lakeside.  Daniel Tosaya and Alex Bus bore the load in his absence and they will need all they can muster for the gauntlet this next week a half.  They play Bellevue, Mercer Island and Issaquah.  The Lakeside Lions have unfortunately become the punching bag for teams this season. With a record of 1-12 overall and allowing 12 goals per game its just a rough season for Lions and hope for latter season comebacks.  It highlights an issue on the minds of many around the league.  Why is Division I so big?  There are 22 Division I teams this season with a large disparity between them.  The revolving door of Division I prestige is taking away just that.  With the top six-seven teams blowing out the bottom tier it raises questions of the value of competition and humility.  It is a valid discussion that should be illuminated next for season.  

In Division II, Sammamish, Woodinville and Wenatchee are the only undefeated teams left.  The league's biggest action came in the the Metro Conference.  Teams battled with each other and by the results, Garfield solidified their reign as conference leader behind some good play from sophomore attackman Cedric Rhodes.  Blancet is close in the running with Ballard on the cusp.  The teams will all play again in few weeks to decide the conference champion.  The Three Rivers Shootout saw several teams battle out against out-of-state competition.    

Washington Locals In Terps-Blue Jays War

Washington state was represented in weekend's Hopkins-Maryland Rivalry.  A game in what many regard as one of the top rivalries in not just lacrosse but in all of sports.  Johns Hopkins beat Maryland 12-11 in overtime at College Park, MD.  It was loaded with Washington flare.  Drew Snider and Landon Carr scored goals for the Terps, with Carr ripping the net.  However, it was Jamison Koesterer (Walax.com, Washington Stealth, Starz Program) an assistant coach on the Blue Jays staff that won out in a dramatic overtime finish.  The field was soaked from the he downpour from the recent east coast rainstorms, amounting as one for the history books.  Also, if you have not heard the Washington boys making All-Conference at St. Andrews click here  

Sorry Landon, we don't have video of your shot, but we do have Drew ripping the duck from earlier this season.

Looking Ahead

Two biggest Division I games this week. Bellevue at Bainbridge Island on Friday.  The Spartans real league test will come with a pack of rabid young Wolverines anxious to climb the rankings and improve in the late season.  This game will be decided with defense.  Will Bellevue be able to handle the hydra of Spartan shooters? Will the Spartans penetrate a veteran group of Bellevue defenders?  Also, dark horse King's Way with league point leader Jack Beall head to Issaquah for a road game test against a team looking to rebound hard this week.  Elsewhere Overlake heads to Eastlake which should also be a good match up.  

Ballers of the Week- Brian Bernstein, Senior, Goalie Mercer Island & Colby Carr, Senior, Midfield, Curtis

Yet again it came to a tie, had to balance the duck ripping with a duck catcher.  It's fitting also because both of their names are alliterations- heavy I know.  Bernstein's stellar performance against Duxbury, MA last week came out in force against Issaquah last Friday.  He made 12 saves on 16 shots as most were point blank and inside tight.  He showed poise and quick hands, showing maturation in the cage.  Looks like he made a name for himself as a rising star and top goalie in the state.  In addition to Bernstein, Curtis's Colby Carr, younger brother of Maryland's Landon Carr, is making a name for himself.  He tallied 15 points and 20 ground balls last week in three games against Stadium, Lake Tapps, and Puyallup.  He emerged as a leader this year, putting the team on his back under a new head coach in Scott Bloom.  They show signs of marked improvement and will be in contention for the Southeast Conference high rollers Bainbridge, Tacoma and King's Way.

Game of the Week- Mercer Island 8 Issaquah 4