Bellevue faced Issaquah April 25 in a game featuring two of the top teams in the conference, and it was the Eagles leaving with the 6-5 win.

The loss was the first for the Wolverines to an in-state foe in more than two calendar years, and gives Issaquah the inside track to a conference championship and first round playoff bye.

The Wolverines led 3-2 after the first quarter, but found itself tied at half.

Before the game, Eagles’ head coach Brandon Fortier talked about the need for his defensive unit to improve, and it put together perhaps its best performance of the year while holding Bellevue scoreless for the final 22 minutes of the game.

Six different players scored a goal for Issaquah, with Zach Fritz, Ryan Egland and Matt Thomas also tacking on an assist in the win.

Fortier said focusing the defensive pressure on Division I bound Eric Haehl and Hank Bethke was the key to a victory.

“We recognized all their goal scoring was coming from five or six yards out,” he said. “We really focused on helping down from the top.”

Bellevue got two goals from both Cambell Alexieff and Bethke, but were unable to break loose, as Issaquah goalie Jordan Dondoyano finished with 10 saves.

The Wolverines rebounded with a 10-1 win over crosstown Newport, behind three goals each from Joe and Hank Bethke.

Bellevue, which now needs help to reclaim the top spot in the standings, hosts Bothell-Inglemoor tonight at 7 p.m.