The Vashon High School Lacrosse Club’s past four games produced a mixed bag of success, defeat and hope.

Vashon came up short in games against Seattle Preparatory Academy on April 28, Mercer Island on May 1 and Skyline on May 8. However, the team soundly defeated Seattle’s Garfield High School on May 5 and remained in the hunt for a berth in the Division I playoffs for the state championship.

Vashon fought hard and stayed close in its home game against Seattle Prep. Led by top scorer Cooper Loraas, Vashon stayed within two goals through three quarters. Vashon’s fourth goal came on a textbook fast break clear, with senior defender Chris Griffin passing to Loraas, who scored. The goal tied the game and inspired the team. But Vashon could not get any closer.

Seattle Prep regained the lead two minutes later. Several costly errors closed the door on Vashon’s chances and Prep hung on for a 13-10 win.

It was an especially frustrating loss for Vashon. The effort was there, but the small mistakes got the best of the team.

Vashon traveled to play top-ranked Mercer Island on May 1. Mercer had its way with Vashon. The powerful Mercer offense kept the Vashon defense off balance all night, and Vashon’s offense could not exert any ball control. In the end, Mercer beat Vashon in every phase of the game, 19-3.

Vashon regained some momentum in its game last week against Garfield. Led by Ross Bowers’ two goals, Vashon opened a three-goal lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Eight different players contributed to Vashon goals, and Vashon’s defense stifled Garfield for a 14-0 Vashon win.

Again, Cooper Loraas led the offense with five goals and two assists. Senior co-captain Chad Richardson recorded one of his better games in goal to help produce the shutout.

Vashon’s offense stalled in its game against Skyline High School on the Sammamish Plateau. Skyline’s ball control offense produced enough to inch away from Vashon for a 7-3 lead after three quarters.

Vashon made a furious comeback run in the fourth quarter. Senior co-captain Aedan Weber ripped two shots for goals, and sophomore Gregor Davidheiser placed a laser shot in the net, but it was too little, too late. Skyline prevailed, 10-5.

Vashon closes its regular season this week with a road game against Issaquah yesterday and its final home game on Friday, May 15, against Northshore. The junior varsity team plays at 5:30 p.m. and varsity plays at 7:30 p.m.

A win against either team could secure a playoff spot for Vashon.

— Charley Rosenberry coaches the Vashon Lacrosse Club.