The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Outlaws defeated No.10-ranked Wilsonville 9-8 at home on Saturday, April 19, in a matchup that was exciting to the very end.

"It was like playing against Sherwood," said Coach Bill Rexford. "They were big, strong and fast kids."

Wilsonville jumped out early with a 3-0 lead, but by the close of the first quarter the Outlaws had tied it up. Jens Stadeli scored all three goals for Sisters with assists from Scott Nelson.

The Wildcats scored the first two goals of the second quarter and regained the lead 5-3. Stadeli knocked in two more for the Outlaws thanks to assists from Nelson, and Sisters tied it up 5-5. Both teams scored one more goal before the half to make it a 6-6 contest.

Wilsonville scored two goals to start the second half and went up 8-6, but Sisters battled back and tied it up 8-8. Nelson scored the last goal of the contest with six minutes left on the clock. The teams battled back and forth but the Outlaws held on for the win.

Spencer Smith had six saves for the Outlaws in the fourth quarter alone. Stadeli scored five goals and Nelson scored four goals and dished out four assists.

"Scott (Nelson), Jens (Stadeli) and Spencer (Smith) were just amazing, but the win was really a team effort," said Rexford. "This was a big win for the program."

Two days earlier the Outlaws destroyed Harney 14-1 at home in Sisters. The Outlaws scored six goals in the first quarter, and by the half everybody on the roster had played minutes in the game. Nelson led the team with five goals and three assists.

Sisters is 3-0 in league. Rexford stated that Bend and Summit are still the standard-setters, but the Outlaws are knocking on their door.

The Outlaws will play at Hermiston on Friday, April 25, and then will compete in the Three Rivers Tournament in Richland, Washington, on Saturday.