BAINBRIDGE – Pressure? What pressure?

The Bainbridge Spartans put two goals on the board in the first few minutes of their season home opener against Mercer Island in girls varsity lacrosse and were never seriously threatened en route to a 18-7 win Wednesday.

Paige Brigham led Bainbridge with five goals and two assists, while Mackenize Chapman and Robin Hilderman added four goals each.

Six Spartans scored in the contest, which never seemed as close as the final score may indicate. Sonia Olson added three goals, and Ellen Carpenter and Kyra Worley contributed one score apiece for the Spartans.

“They didn’t disappoint. They played fantastic from top to bottom; I was really happy,” said Spartan Coach Tami Tommila.

Home field advantage, she said, sometimes really isn’t.

“There’s a history here playing at home. There’s a lot of pressure, especially for the upperclassmen. Every time they step on the home field, there’s a little nerves,” Tommila added, “but they handled themselves really well.”

Much of the action Wednesday was on the Islanders’ end, though Spartan goalie Kelly Coffyn finished the night with eight saves.

The win pushed Bainbridge to 2-0 on the season.

“I thought Mercer was a perfect opponent for us today. They surprised us a little bit with their tenacity and great energy on their side; they’re a very aggressive team,” Tommila said.

“I thought we responded really well to that style of play,” she said.