Sisters players travel for soccer

Sisters U-11 players are going up against tough competition from out-of-area teams. photo by Jim Cornelius

While younger players contend with each other in a Sisters soccer league, 17 10-year-old Sisters players are traveling to the Willamette Valley to face off with some tough competitors.

The Sisters U-11 (under 11) youth soccer team coached by Greg Everson of Sisters and Keith Williams of Bend is currently 3-2.

The team lost to a McMinnville team last Sunday that was, according to Everson, the toughest team the young Outlaws have seen yet.

"They were good, they were strong, they were fast," Everson said.

The coach was proud of his players, even in a loss. They never quit and played hard till the end.

After all, the kids tough competition was what the kids were looking for in the Oregon Youth Soccer Association league.

"The kids have gotten pretty good," Everson said. "They've been playing a lot of soccer and they're ready for the next step."

That step carries them over the Cascades every other weekend to play teams from Eugene, Hillsboro -- even Vancouver, Washington.

The team spends every other weekend at home, hosting teams from the Valley.

The team plays a game on Saturday and a game on Sunday, making for a short but intense 14-game season.

The team is completely funded by parents, who also provide transportation to the games. It's a big commitment of time and energy, but parents seem to do it willingly.

"At this age, they follow the kids pretty close," Everson said. "We usually get pretty good turnouts."

Everson said the team will move up to U-12 next year and continue playing against teams from out of the region.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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