When the high school Kirkland lacrosse program split into two teams last fall it was like dividing a close-nit family. However, there is nothing like a sibling rivalry between brothers. That rivalry fueled the Lake Washington and Juanita teams to the state title game on Sunday at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.
In the end, it was an older brother, senior Sasha Oelsner, who was the difference maker in Lake Washington winning the Division II State Championship against Juanita, 8-7.
“There is nothing like this Kirkland rivalry,” Oelsner said. “Beating your friends, it is like beating your brother.”
The two teams played a game of one upmanship during the contest. Oelsner scored the first goal just 40 seconds into the game. Additional scores by Devin Brickzin and Eli Singstad, gave the Kangs a 3-0 lead.
Juanita struck back, with scores from Cade Alonzo, AJ Peacocke and Nich Rhodes, to tie the game with four-minutes, 34-seconds left in the first half.
“We knew we we could win if we just absorbed that first punch,” said Lake Washington head coach Dejon Hush, who has won five state titles with three different teams.
The Kangs slipped past Juanita with Singstad’s second score of the contest just before the half to reclaim the lead.
The rivalry between the players was evident by the intensity on the field and Juanita senior Jason McLean turned up that intensity during the third quarter with three goals. First, McLean powered inside to tie the game just 20 seconds into the second half. He then scored another goal to give the Rebels the lead.
“He is my longest running friend,” said Oelsner, who is planning to room with McLean in college. “He was making me nervous.”
Alonzo pushed the lead to 6-4 with a goal from 30-feet out.
Singstand broke the momentum and brought the Kangs back within a goal but McLean scored just before the end of the quarter. Unbeknownst to the Rebels though, it would be their final score of the game.
An interception and quick shot from Quang Do gave the Kangs the momentum back. From there, Oelsner took over, tying the game and scoring the game winning goal from 15-feet out with 3:09 left in the game.
“Actually, during the first three quarters, I was worried about how I was shooting and before this year I was not a shooter,” said Oelsner, who was named player of the game. “But this was a team effort the whole way. There were plenty of other kids getting goals.”
The intensity on the field spilled into the stands with the student bodies of each high school chanting against one another in front of the packed stadium.
The fire and spirit on the field and in the stands led to the Lake Washington High School students rushing the field following the final horn to celebrate with the Kangs.
The game was the third of the year between the two teams with all finishing close but with the same team winning every time.
“My hat goes off to [Juanita head coach] Steve [Lytle]. Without him, lacrosse in Kirkand is not at the level it is. He has coached everyone of those kids,” said Hush, who noted that most of the kids, on both teams, have been playing together since fifth grade.
The loss was difficult for the Juanita players and coaches, despite their accomplishments this season.
“It really is brother vs. brother and we played three close games against them,” Lytle said. “I think in a week I will be proud of both teams.”
