When it was all over in a matchup between the Bellevue Wolverines and Sammamish-Interlake boys lacrosse teams, Bellevue player Joseph Bethke was in possession of the game-ball for a job well done.

Bethke had a game-high four assists in Bellevue’s convincing 18-1 victory against Sammamish-Interlake on April 29 at Sammamish High School in Bellevue. Bellevue, which finished in second place at the 2015 Washington Lacrosse Division 1 state tournament in 2015, shared the ball efficiently in their win against Sammamish-Interlake. The 2016 season is the first year of the Sammamish-Interlake lacrosse program.

“I think one of the things in games like this is we just have the go to the goal mentality,” Bellevue assistant coach Chris Homes said. “They are a new program so we have some more experienced guys. I was glad we were able to share the ball and get some assisted goals.”

Camaron McMahon scored a game-high four goals, Matthew Marino added three goals and Andrew Blasko and Tom Heed each scored two goals. Ryan Tsoi scored Sammamish-Interlake’s lone goal in the second half of play. Sammamish-Interlake head coach Matthew Turbak, who graduated from Bellevue High School in 1986, was pleased with his team’s performance despite the loss.

“We are a brand new program and our team is 90 percent freshman,” Turbak said. “Bellevue is a top-notch team that has been around since 1980. We just focus on getting two victories within a game and not worry about the end (score). That is what we work on, especially going against a powerhouse (Bellevue) as a new team.”

Bellevue is one of the favorites to return to the title game this May. Holmes said the Wolverines embrace the pressure of being one of the top programs in the state.

“Most of the guys have grown up in Bellevue lacrosse,” Holmes said. “They are used to it and they have high expectations. They are still young but I think they accept the pressure.”