Senior attackmen Ryan Deal and Brett Mennella each scored 4 goals as Bellevue pounded their way back to their first state title game in 18 years with a 13 – 3 Division I lacrosse semifinal playoff win over Bainbridge, Wednesday at Bainbridge High School.

The win propels the 19-3-0 Wolverines to Saturday’s Washington state championship matchup with 21-0-0 Mercer Island. It’s the 15th title appearance for the Wolverines, one of the state’s first two lacrosse teams, since the school began play in 1980.

Behind strong defensive play led by long-sticks Dan Ellis and Sam Leggett that held the Spartans scoreless in the first half, Bellevue’s offense was able to shine. The Wolverines opened with 2 goals in the first and another 3 in the second to take a 5 – 0 lead into the intermission. In the third, the Wolverines again hit the turf with their offense blazing, outscoring the Spartans 7 – 2. Both teams traded goals in the final stanza to round-out scoring.

Deal and Mennella combined for 12 points with Eric Omri contributing 2 goals and Blake Samuel, Thomas Zervas and Thomas Stengler each scoring once for the Wolverines. Bellevue goalkeeper Austin Boyd had 9 saves between the pipes.