The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Lady Outlaws fell 18-7 in a tough battle against Summit on Monday, April 15, but at home on Saturday they were a force to be reckoned with in their 16-3 win over Thurston.

In the loss to the Storm on Monday, Olivia Hougham made an outstanding goal for the Outlaws in the first half, when she received an assist from Mary Root as she cut through the eight meter. Olivia continued her cut through the eight, grabbed the ball, and quick-sticked it in without stopping.

In the second half, the highlight for the Outlaws was a goal from Kaylee Huber. Kaylee wrapped the crease and took a low shot after fighting off a tough double team.

As the game progressed, the Outlaws continued to fall further behind, and with 14 minutes left in the game Coach Shelby Wilcox called a time out.

“Losing by 11 points can be hard, and I could tell they were struggling mentally with the game, “said Wilcox. “After a pep talk, I told them to forget the score and go have fun again. We were able to play some really beautiful lacrosse to close out a very difficult game.”

Mary Root scored a hat trick for the Outlaws, and Hougham, Huber, Reese Harwell, Skylar Wilkins tallied one goal each.

On Saturday, the Outlaws’ offense was firing on all cylinders. Root scored Sisters’ first goal in the first 30 seconds of the contest, and it snowballed from there.

Seven different players contributed in the scoring effort. Pearl Gregg led the Outlaws with five goals and five groundballs. Root scored four goals, had four groundballs, four draw controls, and four caused turnovers. Ellie Cook recorded three goals, and Olivia Hougham, Sydney Head, Wilkins, and Faith Hougham each added one. Head also had four groundballs and eight draw controls.

One of Gregg’s standout goals came in the first half. A Thurston player fouled Pearl between the restraining line and the 12, and Pearl went one-on-one with the goalie. She had a beautiful shot into the middle-left side for the score. At the close of the first half, the Outlaws were on top 15-3.

Sisters scored one additional goal in the final half and held Thurston scoreless. The Outlaws’ second-half goal came from Root. Mary was alone in the eight meter when she received the ball from Wilkins and shot the ball between the goalie’s legs.

Wilcox said, “I’m so happy to see the girls trying things we work really hard on in practice and put it on the field. It’s not always executed perfectly, but they are pushing themselves to move the ball better and be smart about their play, and it’s beginning to show.”

The Outlaws will travel to Bend United on Wednesday, April 24, and will hit the road again on Friday for a game at Crescent Valley. They will end the week with a game at South Eugene on Saturday.