HS Girls Soccer: Sumner Wins At Home In Highly Competitive Non-League Match Against Mercer Island

9/9/25

Sumner Spartans 2, Mercer Island Islanders 0

(Sumner, WA) The Sumner Spartans and Mercer Island Islanders each had impressive years last season and are looking to have even better 2025 campaigns. Sumner allowed only eight goals all season and made the State Quarterfinals once again as the three seed. Mercer Island had a record of 11-3-3 and hosted Sumner last year, where the two sides played to a 2-2 draw. The two sides would battle it out again in an early non-league matchup.

In the first half, both sides took the first 10 minutes to feel things out and not make a crucial early mistake. Both teams were successful in their efforts, but Mercer Island had a chance in the 14th minute on a free kick. Madison Hagstrom fired a great kick, about 23 yards away from goal, but the Sumner keeper, Devon Bankers, dove to her right to make the save. Sumner controlled the possession for a lot of the first half, and in the 35th minute, the Spartans struck. Raegen Johnson took a free kick from nearly 40 yards out, and the ball dropped around the six-yard box. Mercer Island initially had it but lost possession, but Alivia Henricksen found the ball and blasted it into the back of the net as the Spartans took a 1-0 lead. Mercer Island created some chances, but ultimately Sumner would take the one-goal advantage going into the halftime break.

In the second half, Mercer Island and Sumner each created fantastic chances within the first three minutes of play, but the keepers for both sides shut down any scoring threat. Mercer Island’s Ashyton Shelton and Madison Hagstrom were all over the place offensively for the Islanders, as the young pair applied pressure to Sumner’s stout backline. Sumner’s Sydney Berry had the play of the night, as in the 62nd minute, Berry had the ball on the right side towards the top corner of the 18-yard box. Berry used a couple of nice moves, created space, and floated a perfect shot to score her first goal of the night and double Sumner’s lead up to 2-0. Mercer Island threw everything they could at Sumner but the Spartans kept Mercer Island out of their own net and would collect the 2-0 victory.

Our Holiday Inn Express Game MVP went to Sydney Berry for Sumner. Berry had the fantastic second-half goal and was all over the place for the Spartans. Berry’s key contributions helped Sumner get the home win. Sumner also had great nights from Devon Bankers in goal, who needed to make numerous saves to secure the win and clean sheet, Brooklyn Johnson, who helped lead Sumner’s defense, and Mattie Gillaspy did a lot of work in the midfield to either slow down Mercer Island attacks or help start Sumner’s.

Mercer Island’s Anna Mock proved why she’s one of the captains of the squad, as she was the anchor of the Islanders’ defense. Ashyton Shelton and Madison Hagstrom made Sumner’s defense work all night long with their great runs, offensive chances, and constant pressure. Gabby Frederick was another key component of the Mercer Island backline.

Sumner improves to 1-0-0 and will face Skyview at home on Thursday and Mount Si on Saturday, which the Eli Sports Network will be streaming. Mercer Island is now 1-1-0 and will host Liberty (Renton) on Friday.

Click here to watch the full match replay (Subscription Required).