Islanders defeat the Spartans, 2-1, in last home game of the season
On Tuesday, April 29, the Skyline Spartans lost at home, 2-1, to the Mercer Island Islanders.
While both teams jumped in aggressively with attacks and threatening shots on goal, Mercer Island scored first. The Islanders quickly followed their first goal with a second. Skyline managed to answer with a goal of their own before the half ended. Desperate to reverse the advantage, Skyline laid siege to the Mercer Island goal for most of the second half, but the Islanders held the line, ending the game with a 2-1 Skyline defeat.
To open the half, both teams did well offensively but struggled defensively. Several well placed through-balls proved effective, getting past each team’s defense, with shots stopped only by last-second tackles, offsides infractions or inaccurate, wide shots on goal.
In an attempt to clear a threat on goal, the Spartans passed out the back, but the Islanders anticipated the strategy and stole the ball. A through-ball to Mercer Island striker Bridge Gerry gave the Islander an open shot. Gerry put the ball in the net for a 1-0 Mercer Island lead.
Continuing their successful strategy, 10 minutes later, the Islanders capitalized on a second opportunity. Another accurate through-ball, this time to Islander striker Charlie Frink, scored the easy goal to put the visiting team up 2-0. It did not look good for Skyline.
Despite the setbacks, the Spartans recognized opportunity when it came. Less than a minute after the second Mercer Island goal, Skyline attacked. A perfect through-ball gave Spartan forward Bashir Kaddoura an undefended run at goal. Shooting the ball over the keeper and into the net, the Spartans trailed by one as the first half ended, 2-1.
Both teams fought hard the entire second half. Knowing they needed to score, Skyline used quick and accurate passing to dominate possession most of the time. While the Islander goal came under siege frequently, the Spartans could not break through. Despite valiant efforts from the home team, the Islanders held the lead until the final whistle, defeating the Spartans 2-1.
The Skyline Spartans will face the Eastlake Wolves on Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m.
