Mercer Island High School junior Anna Carson earned first-team 3A All-KingCo girls soccer honors and Erin Bourguignon was named one of the league’s coaches of the year. Senior Ella Martin and freshmen Jackie Gonzalez and Hayden Feimster are league honorable mentions. Clockwise from left, Carson, Bourguignon, Martin, Gonzalez and Feimster. Photos courtesy of the MIHS girls soccer team
News
Spirit Store is Now OPEN
Support your student athlete with MIHS Girls Soccer spirit wear. Store link here.
3-4 week order time after the store close date
NOTE - Store closes September 4, 2023.
New JVC Coach for 2023
Mercer Island High School Welcomes New Girls' JVC Soccer Coach, Elliot Fauske, to the Islander Nation
Mercer Island, WA August 19, 2023— Mercer Island High School Girls’ Soccer is excited to announce the appointment of Elliot Fauske as the new coach for the Girls' JVC Soccer Team. With an impressive track record and a passion for empowering young athletes, Fauske is set to lead the team to new heights in the upcoming season.
Elliot Fauske brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to his role as the JVC coach. With a solid foundation in coaching and player development, Fauske is poised to cultivate a winning culture while fostering the growth and development of each player on and off the field.
"I’m incredibly excited to announce the hiring of our new JVC coach, Elliot Fauske. His experience and knowledge of the game is a perfect fit to help our program continue to grow and compete at all 3 levels," said Erin Bourguignon, Varsity and Head Coach of the Mercer Island Girls Soccer Program.
Fauske's coaching philosophy is centered on teamwork, skill refinement, and character development. With a focus on individual strengths and a collective commitment to achieving success, he aims to guide the team to achieve their fullest potential.
Mercer Island High School and the girls' soccer community are looking forward to an exciting new chapter under Coach Fauske's leadership. The upcoming season promises not only competitive matches but also an environment that promotes skill advancement, sportsmanship, and a strong sense of unity among the team members.
For media inquiries, please contact: Jeff Hsu, MIHSGS Booster Club President (mihs.soccerboard@gmail.com)
About Mercer Island High School: Mercer Island High School is a respected educational institution known for its commitment to academic excellence, character development, and comprehensive extracurricular programs. Our purpose is to provide students with challenging educational activities and experiences that encourage students to reach their individual potential.
Don't forget to turn in your 2023-24 registration forms by Aug 16
Official MISD registration for soccer needs to be TURNED IN by August 16th, 2023. Step-by-step instructions on this page (under Resources).
ALL Freshman are required to submit an updated physical to MISD (attn: Becky LeMaster - becky.lemaster@mercerislandschools.org) before they can tryout. For non-freshman, it is worth checking to see if you need to submit an updated physical as well. MISD requires an updated physical every 2 years. Please verify with Becky LeMaster or with your family physician.
Congrats to all of our Fall 2021 End-of-Season Award Recipients
Varsity:
MVP: Katie Pedersen
Offensive Player of the Year: Audrey Kris
Defensive Player of the Year: Mimi Pietila
Dominate Award: Leela Jacob
Captains Award: Hannah Savoy
JV:
MVP: Anna Marsh
Offensive Player of the Year: Maggie Blohm
Defensive Player of the Year: Joey Lurie
Dominate Award: Hannah Hsu
JVC:
Defensive Player of the year: Melissa Woo
Offensive Player of the year: Josie Beebe
MVP Award: Ludovica Caso
MIHS Captain Katie Pedersen selected To ECNL National Selection Game!
Congrats, Katie!
Katie started her soccer career on a boys team at Islander FC when she was 5 years old and moved to Eastside FC when she was 6. She currently plays attacking midfield for Eastside FC. She’s excited to lead the team as a captain next year and have a great season!
Career Highlights:
⁃ Selected for the US Youth National Team Training Center 2016-2019
⁃ Selected to play in the National Selection Game in the 2022 Arizona Showcase
⁃ Top goal scorers for MIHS Girls Varsity Soccer as a sophomore and junior
⁃ Eastside FC team was undefeated in the 2020-2021 season
⁃ Attended ECNL national playoffs in 2021
2018 End Of Season Awards
Congratulations to all the Mercer Island High School Girls Soccer Athletes!
At our End of Season Celebration we recognized the following athletes for their exceptional contributions to each team.
Varsity:
Offensive Player of the Year: Elaina Martin
Defensive Player of the Year: Gretchen Blohm
Most Valuable Player: Jackie Stenberg
Special Recognition Attitude and Character: Ellie Sulla
Captains Award: Makena French
JV:
Offensive Player of the Year: Audrey Kris
Defensive Player of the Year: Avery Conder
Most Valuable Player: Addie Waterman
Rookie Award: Leela Jacob
JVC:
Offensive Player of the Year: Jaya Woerner
Defensive Player of the Year: Mimi Pietila
Most Valuable Player: Lily Clark
Rookie Award: Tahssya Avant
Elected 2019 Varsity Captains:
Scarlett Counihan, Amy Braman, Emily Yang
2018 All-State Teams for Girls Soccer Announced
The Washington State Soccer Coaches Association announced its 2018 all-state teams for all six classifications. The teams are voted on by coaches around the state.
Congratulations to the following Mercer Island Varsity team members:
3A First Team
Goalkeeper: Amy Braman, JR. Mercer Island
3A Second Team
Forwards: Lanie Martin, SR. Mercer Island
Midfielders: Jackie Gillroy, SR. Mercer Island
Defenders: Ashley Rudd, SR. Mercer Island;
Read more here: https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/high-school/article224635000.html#storylink=cpy
2018 3A KingCo All League Awards
Congratulations MI Girls Soccer Varsity!
Congratulations to MIHS Varsity for another outstanding year! Varsity was undefeated in 2018 KingCo 3A/2A League play with a record of 12-0-0. Varsity made it through to Quarter Finals in the 3A State Cup Championship. Overall record for 2018 season is 17-1-1.
Islanders cruise past Bonnie Lake in first round of state playoffs
There was no boisterous celebration following the Mercer Island Islanders convincing 2-0 victory against the Bonney Lake Panthers in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs on Nov. 6.
The Islanders, who won the Class 3A state championship during the 2017 season, are determined to hoist a state championship trophy at Sparks Stadium for the second consecutive season.
“It is not like were jumping for joy or anything. We got a mission and that mission is to get back to Sparks Stadium (site of the Class 3A state semifinals and finals),” Mercer Island head coach James Valles said. “Until we get there, it is going to be business as usual and just another game and another opponent.”
Mercer Island senior Elaina Martin scored the first goal of the game in the 23rd minute, giving the Islanders a 1-0 lead. Mercer Island defender Ashley Rudd connected on a free kick from 25 yards out, putting the ball on the ground into the lower left corner of the goal in the 26th minute, lengthening the lead to 2-0.
Mercer Island keeper Amy Braman, who had a difficult save on a Bonney Lake shot attempt in the 72nd minute, was thrilled to see Rudd score the proverbial insurance goal in the 26th minute.
“I was so happy that went in because I saw it go through the wall,” Braman said of watching the goal being scored from nearly 90 yards away. “I’m so glad it went in because I like to win.”
The Islanders will host Prairie at 3 p.m. on Nov. 10 in the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Braman believes her team will rise to the occasion in the quarterfinal matchup.
“I’m just hoping we don’t underestimate any team because every team deserves to be here. We have a lot of confidence because we know we’re good and we deserve to be here,” Braman said.
Permission and credit: Shaun Scott (November 7, 2018) Mercer Island pitches shutout against Bonnie Lake. Mercer Islander Reporter. Photo credit: Patrick Krohn/Patrick Krohn Photography.
Islanders Earn Victory Against Wolverines in Rivalry Matchup
The Mercer Island Islanders girls soccer team captured a 1-0 victory against the Bellevue Wolverines on Oct. 25 in the regular season finale for both squads. Jackie Stenberg (pictured) scored the lone goal of the game between rival schools. The Islanders finished the 2018 regular season with an overall record of 15-0-1.
Permission and credit: Shaun Scott (October 27, 2018) Islanders earn victory against Wolverines in rivalry matchup. Mercer Islander Reporter. Photo credit: Stephanie Ault Justus.
Islanders Attain Comeback Triumph
Mercer Island senior midfielder Emily Arron, left, puts pressure on Liberty defender Cameron Nelson, right, in a matchup featuring two of the top soccer programs in the 3A/2A KingCo Division. Mercer Island earned a 2-1 comeback victory on Sept. 25 on Mercer Island. Photo courtesy of Patrick Krohn/Patrick Krohn Photography
A showdown of epic proportions was on display as the Mercer Island Islanders and Liberty Patriots faced off on the soccer field.
Liberty, who won the Class 2A state title in 2017 and Mercer Island, who earned the Class 3A state championship in 2017, lived up to the pregame hype. The Islanders rose to the occasion in front of their hometown fans, earning a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against the Patriots on Sept. 25 on Mercer Island. The Islanders improved their overall record to 5-0-1 with the win while Liberty dropped to 4-1-2. Mercer Island is in sole possession of first place in the 3A/2A KingCo division.
With the score tied at 1-1 with less than a minute left in regulation, Islanders senior forward Nicole Mandt connected on the game-winning goal, completing the comeback win. Mandt maneuvered past two Liberty defenders before uncorking a shot that found the lower left part of the back of the goal. Mercer Island sophomore defender Emily Yang had the assist on the play.
“We came into this game really nervous, to be honest. Liberty is a super good team and is probably the toughest team we’ve played all season. We came into the game knowing we had to be confident no matter what, no matter how nervous we were. It paid off,” Mandt explained. “We had a positive mindset and we knew we could do it.”
Liberty took an early 1-0 lead on a Myka Carr goal in the 55th minute of play. Mercer Island senior Elaina Martin tied the game at 1-1 in the 65th minute. Mercer Island head coach James Valles wasn’t surprised to see two of his seniors (Martin and Mandt) come through in the clutch with the outcome of the game hanging in the balance.
“Those players have been playing on this team for a long time. This is their last year and they don’t get rattled in big games,” Valles said.
Valles believes the victory against a formidable Liberty squad will give his team an abundance of confidence as they move toward the second half of the 2018 season on the pitch.
“This was huge. Being in first place in the middle of the season isn’t great but it gives us that much more of a separation from the next 3A team (in their league). I think the other 3A teams were looking at this match and were saying, ‘If they get beat by Liberty, we’ve got a chance.’ Now they know we are who they thought we were,” Valles said proudly.
Mercer Island senior Ella Hensey, left, battles with Liberty defender Kelsey Le, right, for possession of a 50/50 in the air. Photo courtesy of Patrick Krohn/Patrick Krohn Photography
Permission and credit: Shaun Scott (September 27, 2018) Islanders attain comeback triumph. Mercer Islander Reporter. Photo credit: Don Born/Stop Action Photography. View Article
Goal Celebration in Mercer Island Win
Mercer Island senior captain Jackie Stenberg, left, celebrates scoring in regular time while senior Jackie Gilroy joins her during the Islanders’ 2-1 overtime girls soccer victory over Lake Washington on Sept. 20. Photo Courtesy of Dale Garvey and Mercer Island Reporter.
State Champs Looking to Defend Their Title
The Mercer Island Islanders girls soccer team won the Class 3A state championship in November of 2017. It was the first state title in school history for the team. Photo courtesy of Don Borin/Stop Action Photography
The 2017 high school soccer season was unforgettable for all the right reasons for the Mercer Island community.
The Islanders varsity girls soccer team registered a 4-1 victory against the Stadium Tigers in the Class 3A state title game on Nov. 18, 2017 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. It was the first state championship in the history of the high school girls soccer program.
Mercer Island girls soccer head coach James Valles, who will be in his second season leading the Islanders this fall, reminisces about last year’s title as often as possible.
“Lets just say I try to work state championship into all of my conversations, even in my day job I try to work that in there,” Valles said with a chuckle.
The Islanders return all but two of their players from the 2017 varsity roster. Key players Jessie Stenberg and Kendall Riley graduated this past June. Valles said his squad is focused on winning back-to-back state crowns.
“I think the pressure is on. They want to repeat. They don’t want to sit or rest on their laurels. If you look at our schedule, we play Skyline, Issaquah, Newport and Eastlake (nonleague games). The only way you can get better is to challenge yourself every week. When state (tournament) comes around, hopefully we’ll be ready,” Valles said.
Valles marveled about the talent level of his roster before conducting an evening practice session on Aug. 24.
“It is pretty incredible I would have to say. This isn’t normal, this is far from normal, I will take it,” Valles said with a smile. “We have four senior captains this year and they’ve really stepped up and have done captains’ kind of work. We have 20 incoming freshmen to the program and they’ve done a really great job of making everybody feel part of the program.”
The Islanders’ four team captains are Emily Arron, Jackie Stenberg, Gretchen Blohm and Abby Berman. The Islanders’ state championship in November of 2017 wasn’t just for the soccer program, it was for the entire Mercer Island community and all of the players who came before them.
“Since it was our first one (girls state soccer championship), it was pretty special. We had great attendance at our games. That is what is great about Mercer Island is that the community gives us such great support. It really meant something to people on the island. You are playing for more than yourself,” Valles said of his team.
Permission and credit: Shaun Scott (August 31, 2018) State Champs are looking to defend their title. Mercer Islander Reporter. Photo credit: Don Born/Stop Action Photography. View Article
First Annual MIHS Girls Soccer Alumni Match
We had our first annual alumni match on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the MIHS Stadium field. Eleven MIHS Girls Soccer Alumni joined our current players for a friendly. Thank you to Molly Fort who coordinated the event and thank you to all the participants.
Molly Fort ('89)
Kim Lengle ('94)
Erin Bourguignon ('10)
Lauren Frank ('11)
Celina Solomon ('12)
Kieran Dornay ('13)
Natalie Weaver ('14)
Katie Rorem ('14)
Silvie Dornay ('15)
Mira Dornay ('17)
Olivia Morris ('18)
James Valles named 2017 All-State 3A Coach of the Year
And congratulations to Kendall Riley, Jessie Stenberg and Gretchen Blohm who were also selected for WSSCA 2017 Fall Soccer All-State Teams.
Source: 2017 Fall Soccer All-State Teams Announced by WSSCA. www,goalWA.net
Photo Credit: Rick Edelman
2017 End of Season Awards
Congratulations to all the Mercer Island High School Girls Soccer Athletes!
This has been an amazing year of hard work, determination and success! We welcomed new Head Coach James Valles, JV Coach Celeste Stoup and JVC Coach Natalie Weaver to the MIHS Soccer program. Varsity won the Washington State 3A Title for the first time in MIHS history. In addition, Varsity won the KingCo 3A Tournament Championship.
At our End of Season Celebration we recognized the following athletes for their exceptional contributions to each team.
Varsity:
Offensive Player of the Year: Jessie Stenberg
Defensive Player of the Year: Gretchen Blohm
Most Valuable Player: Kendall Riley
Newcomer Award: Amy Braman
Captains Award: Sarah Gest
JV:
Offensive Player of the Year: Hannah Bartley
Defensive Player of the Year: Lucy Cleator
Most Valuable Player: Annelise Rorem
Newcomer Award: Makena French
JVC:
Offensive Player of the Year: Maddy Pfeiffer
Defensive Player of the Year: Joy Francke
Most Valuable Player : Ellie Gelsey
Newcomer of the Year: Tess Johnston
KingCo All-League Team Honors
Each year all the KingCo Coaches meet and select athletes from each team to be recognized for outstanding performance. Congratulations!
2017 WIAA 3A State Girls Soccer Tournament Results
Kendall Riley listed on 2017 Star Times All-Area Girls Soccer Team
Photo Credit: Susie Stenberg
The Seattle Times selects Mercer Island's senior midfielder Kendall Riley as one of the all-stars to the 2017 Star Times girls soccer team. The Star Times team is comprised of athletes chosen from schools in King and Snohomish counties, or in the Metro and Wesco leagues. See full article by Matt Massey, special to The Seattle Times.
Excerpt:
Mercer Island Earns First-Ever Girls State Soccer Championship
Oftentimes in the world of high school sports, championship games come down to a bounce here, a big play there and aren’t decided until the closing minutes or seconds of regulation.
The Mercer Island girls soccer team didn’t have to worry about the outcome of their Class 3A state championship matchup coming down to the wire. Mercer Island dominated all phases of the game en route to a 4-1 win against the Stadium Tigers on Nov. 18 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. It was the first state title in the history of the Mercer Island girls soccer program.
Islanders’ senior forward Jessie Stenberg scored a game-high three goals in the final game of her high school career with everything on the line.
“It is an unbelievable feeling. I’m just so excited. I couldn’t be happier. This is an amazing experience. I’m going to be happy for weeks, months and years to come,” Stenberg said with a smile after the game.
The Islanders knew the Tigers had an undefeated record coming into the game, but weren’t intimidated in the least bit.
“We knew they were 18-0 and hadn’t lost yet. We knew we had to play like us and do what we know how to do to just put it (title) away,” Stenberg said.
Islanders’ senior midfielder Kendall Riley said the 2017 season couldn’t have gone better.
“We didn’t really think we were going to get here (state title game) this season, but when we got here we were like, we worked so hard for this game. We’re going to dominate it and win this state championship. We did it,” Riley said.
Mercer Island head coach James Valles, who was in his first season leading the Islanders’ soccer program, said there wasn’t any special game plan in store for Stadium before the game kicked off.
“We didn’t really talk about what to do to break down Stadium or anything. It was like you know what to do, you have done it all season. Just go out and do what you do. They (Stadium) should be afraid of us and that is how we played and that was the result,” Valles said. “We have one of the hardest leagues (KingCo) in our state so every game is a game. The key was being composed and they’ve done it all season.”
Valles credited his players for their dedication during the 2017 season, which culminated in a state title.
“It is all about them. It is just heart, grit, soul and leaving it all on the field. As a coach, I just knew these players were going to step up. That is something you can’t coach,” he said. “To see those looks on their faces, I’d do this (coach) for free. To leave that legacy as the first time (state champs), that is awesome for them.”
Permission and credit: Shaun Scott (November 22, 2017) Mercer Island earns first-ever girls state soccer championship. Mercer Islander Reporter. Photo credit: Don Born/Stop Action Photography. View Article