Soccer team has first playoff

The Outlaw boys' soccer team lost a controversial match 4-2 to Western Mennonite to drop out of the state 3A/2A tournamen, in Salem on Friday, November 5.

According to Coach Bob Bowling, the Outlaws faced not only driving rain, but questionable calls.

"I don't usually complain about the refs," said Bowling. "But this one particular side judge let three blatant offsides happen in the first 10 minutes, and two became easy goals. Then in the second half the same guy disallowed a goal that we scored, when we were not offsides. He basically gave them two goals and took one away from us."

The Outlaws fought hard throughout the match, even though Western grabbed the two early goals. Midway through the first half, Dennis Bermel scored his 21st goal of the season to bring the Outlaws close, but Western's Danny Agee got yet another breakaway goal to give his team a 3-1 lead at halftime.

The teams traded goals in the second half, with the Outlaws Ian Egan scoring to make the final score 4-2.

"We were well prepared and I think the better team," said coach Bowling. "But several key breaks just went against us and that was the difference. It's a shame to have bad calls influence the match, but I am very proud that our kids never gave up. It was just a miserable day with all the rain and mud, but it's a credit to their heart and determination that they fought hard to the bitter end."