The Vashon Vultures, the island’s high school-age lacrosse team, had a full week of lacrosse action losing one and winning three of the week’s four games.

The team started off with a game Monday, April 17, against Bellevue’s junior varsity team. The Bellevue club is huge, fielding three full teams. The Vultures played the second team, comprised mostly of high school juniors, and were soundly defeated 17-4.

On Tuesday, April 18, the Vultures took on South Kitsap in an away game and won 13-5. The match marked the turnaround game the team had been looking for. Vashon scored early and often as Vultures Max Schira and Jake Carman provided hat tricks. Dueces were provided by Diego Wishik-Grey and Calvin McMillan and goals were scored by Kiryk Mozeleski, Adrian St. Germain and long-pole sophomore Mason Rice, who made a full field run to get his first goal of the year. Excellent teamwork and camaraderie was displayed and as the outcome of the game became clear, there was an emphasis on finding the open man rather than padding one’s own statistics. The defense allowed a stingy 14 shots on goal, and the goalies saved all but three of those.

Next up was Sequim on Friday evening, April 21, the only league team the Vultures have not yet faced this season. The Vultures dominated with a score of 16-5 as the Roughriders took the long trip to Vashon with a thin team — a few didn’t make the boat on time, and one key player did not have his cleats. Sequim struggled early but eventually settled in to the game. But Vashon had a great showing, with four goals each from Schira and Mozeleski, another hat trick from Carman, two more for Wishik-Grey, and one each for McMillan, Kellan Riley and Dawit Tuller Ross. Riley’s quickness outdid the other squad completely for his first goal of the year.

Finally, to close the week with a fourth game, the Vultures took on their nemesis, Klahowya, but beat them soundly 16-9. Still smarting over last year’s double loss, the Vultures were out to return the favor. In Vashon’s first game against Klahowya this season, it was a close first quarter before Vashon took and then extended the lead. This game was about the same. It was just 3-2 Vashon at the end of the first quarter, but then the Vultures took and extended the lead once again. Klahowya did score a few, but nearly every time they scored, Vashon marched back upfield and retaliated.

Despite the sore legs from four games in one week, Vashon dominated. The defense, led by senior Carson Nye, was fearless and there were outstanding plays from Carlos Hernandez on numerous ground balls. The tireless Tuller Ross played both ends of the pitch and was the go-to guy when the ball has to be moved upfield in a pinch. There was notable play from Malcolm Henry as well on ground balls, assists and scoring.

Schira had five goals. Also scoring were Paris Brown, Carman, Henry, McMillan and Mozeleski with two each.

The Vultures have cemented a spot in the playoffs, are undefeated in league play and leading the 1A/2A Olympic League. They played Gig Harbor Tuesday after press time in their final home game and will finish the season with two away games at North Kitsap Friday and Sequim on Tuesday, May 2.

— Greg Martin is the father of a Vashon Vultures lacrosse player.