The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The boys and girls soccer squads both have young teams this year, each week improving on their skills and becoming more competitive as the season progresses.

The boys fell 10-0 at Woodburn on Tuesday, September 17, and two days later dropped their game against Philomath in a final score of 4-3. The Lady Outlaws also lost both their games; a 4-1 loss at home to Woodburn on Tuesday, and a 4-0 loss to Philomath on the road.

On Tuesday, the boys lost to a very skilled and talented Woodburn squad. Despite the score, the young Outlaws were competitive and worked hard until the final buzzer.

Several players got on the field and experienced their first varsity minutes and did well, including rising sophomores Gavin Christian and Charlie Irlam. Junior Connor Martin worked his way into the starting line-up as a wing player and is settling into the role.

Tate Kaczmarek and Ethan Eckert often created offensive opportunities, but the team just couldn’t finish.

At home two days later, the Outlaws got off to a strong start against the visiting Warriors, and controlled possession and won the 50/50 ball much of the time.

Martin scored his first goal of the season right in front of the net. Ricky Huffman, a tenacious striker, also scored in the first half. At the half the Outlaws were on top 2-0.

The second half was a back-and-forth battle between the two squads. Sisters knew Philomath would come out strong and they did. The very physical Warriors scored six minutes into the half after a broken play and then evened the score at the 56-minute-mark on a penalty kick.

Momentum definitely shifted away from the Outlaws, however, Connor Linn scored in the 61st minute to give the Outlaws the go-ahead goal. Philomath scored once again on a penalty to tie it back up 3-3. Ten minutes before the final whistle, the Warriors scored off a long throw that skipped off a defender’s head, and held on for the win.

Husmann said, “It was a heart-wrenching loss as we seemed to have outplayed them on all fronts except the score line. The team played some of their best soccer so far, and it does show all of us that we can be competitive with these strong teams.”

Husmann added, “This is a team of brothers; Sean and Nathaniel Alvarez, Oscar and Simon Rhett, and Aidan and Ethan Eckert all start for this team. I think this fosters a strong sense of family and cohesion within the team. Oscar continues to be outstanding in goal and is hungry to improve.”

The Lady Outlaws had a similar week with a 4-1 loss at home to Woodburn on Tuesday, September 17, followed by a 4-0 loss to Philomath on the road.

In Tuesday’s match-up, Woodburn scored twice before Sisters got their lone goal from Hollie Lewis. The goal came in the 30th minute when Emma Lutz slotted the ball to Hollie, who beat her defender for the score.

Woodburn scored again to take a 3-1 lead at the half, and they scored their final goal in the second half.

Coach Brian Holden said, “The girls definitely created more opportunities than the previous game, but just couldn’t find the goal, and unfortunately we had an own goal on a cornerkick.”

“We had girls go out at the half with injuries, and the younger players really stepped up,” added Holden. “Freshmen Analise Backus and Sage Wyland did a great job for us at center back, and freshman Josie Patton took over in the goal and also did a nice job.”

Two days later, Sisters was shut out 4-0 on their home turf by Philomath.

Holden noted Patton for her play in the goal.

“Josie started at the goalie position and played there the entire night,” said Holden. “She’s just a freshman, and she made several good saves.”

Sisters was scheduled to play at home against Stayton on Tuesday, September 24. They are on the road at Sweet Home on Thursday.