Girls soccer team plays in jamboree

The varsity soccer team traveled to Philomath on Thursday, August 29, to participate in the annual pre-season jamboree.

The girls played three 40 minute games, with 20 minute halves.

Gladstone was the first game of the day and ended in a 1-1 tie. Gladstone scored the first goal of the game in the tenth minute of play.

Gladstone dominated play for the first half of the game.

"We didn't take them seriously," Coach Lee Bellahdid said.

"We were always waiting for the ball, instead of going to the ball. We just weren't aggressive enough."

In the second half of the game, with just five minutes remaining, Krista Pagano passed the ball up to Minique Yost, who dribbled up the field, and placed the ball into the right corner of the net with a beautiful left-footed shot.

"In the second half we figured out we needed to be more focused on the game and more aggressive, and it made a huge difference," Bellahid said. "The girls did just what I wanted them to.

"I wanted a long pass to Minique and then let her use her speed, because she's very fast. If we'd have had just a few more minutes to play I think we would have won that game."

After an hour of down time the Lady Outlaws were back on the field against Lebanon, easily winning that match 2-1.

The Outlaws took charge offensively from the very beginning.

In the eighth minute of play Elyse Clasen made a great pass to Pagano who attempted to kick it in the goal.

The Lebanon goalie made a great save, but dropped the ball. Clasen was right there to kick the ball in for a goal, which put the Outlaws up 1-0.

With less than five minutes remaining in the first half, Pagano, with an assist from Yost, punched the ball from inside the box to score.

Sisters extended its lead to 2-0.

The second half, Coach Bellahdid pulled most of his varsity starters to allow the freshmen a chance to play, some of whom had never played before.

Lebanon ended up scoring one goal.

The third and final game of the day found the Outlaws up against Philomath, one of the top teams in the state last year.

Philomath was a tough match, and the Outlaws were defeated 5-0.

The Outlaws were called for several penalties, which resulted in goals for Philomath.

Injuries also plagued Sisters with five starters having to be taken off the field.

"We just don't have enough endurance," Bellahdid said.

"Philomath's technical skills were much better than ours and they were physically stronger. The best team wins the game, and Philomath deserved it.

"For us to beat this level of team we'll really have to work hard."

The Lady Outlaws play their first non-league game next Saturday, September 7, at home against Mountain View at 1 p.m.