Girls soccer wins big in playoff opener

Krista Pagano goes for the goal. photo by Peggy Chesser

The Outlaws girls soccer team defeated South Umpqua 6-1 in the opening round of the state playoffs on Saturday, November 1.

Maren Burck had a hat trick and Krista Pagano scored twice to lead the Lady Outlaws to their first post-season victory.

The Outlaws' scoring started at the 28th minute. Rose Slavkovsky took a shot at the goal. The ball had a crazy spin on it and deflected off a South Umpqua defender for an "own goal." Just three minutes later Maren Burck took a kick at the ball waist high and sent the ball straight into the net. Rosita Rérat was credited with the assist.

Krista Pagano punched in the third goal for Sisters to push the Outlaws' lead to 3-0 at the half.

Five minutes into the second half Pagano scored her second goal off an indirect free kick. Liz Dale gently touched the ball to her left and Pagano punched it in to give the Outlaws a 4-0 advantage.

South Umpqua got on the scoreboard in the 53rd minute off a goal by Tess Banful.

With 11 minutes remaining in the game, Burck took a pass from Pagano and with a soft touch placed it in the goal.

Coach Lee Bellahdid said, "This was the girls' first state playoff game ever and they started off a little bit scared and nervous. We weren't able to create many opportunities in the first 20 minutes of the game. After we got that first goal they gained more confidence."

Bellahdid was pleased with the play of the entire defense.

"Minique (Yost), Whitney (Engstrom), Nikki (Backman), Audrey (Tehan) and Kelly (Fitzjarrell) played very hard and just did a great job," he said.

"I had to make some switches because Erin (Boyle) was still out with an injury so I moved Nikki to right defender and had Kelly cover the left defender position when Whitney was in the box. They all played confident and kept the pressure up in South Umpqua's half of the field."

The coach also noted the fine play of Liz Dale at midfield and Maren Burck at forward.

Earlier in the week the Lady Outlaws lost their seeding game against Blanchet 3-1.

The first half of the game was close and evenly matched. Sisters had four opportunities at the goal but just couldn't finish their shots. Blanchet finished one of their four attempts and at the half held a 1-0 lead.

Sisters came out in the second half energized and ready to play. In the second minute the Lady Outlaws tied the game 1-1.

The play was set up off a cross by Krista Pagano. Maren Burck flicked the ball back with her head and Rose Slavkovsky finished it with a beautiful header straight into the center of the net.

Sisters kept the pressure up until the 12th minute of play when Blanchet scored off a corner kick to take a 2-1 lead.

Blanchet scored again and the game ended in a 3-1 loss.