Boys soccer season off to a strong start

The boys soccer team started its season with a 2-2 tie at North Marion on Thursday, September 9.

“We knew they (NM) had a small field and a ‘kick and run’ team,” said Coach Rich Hummell, “but they still scored two goals in the first half to make it 2-0 at half-time.”

The Outlaws started the game with a 3-5-2 system which was too crowded in the middle for North Marion’s small field.

“The boys just weren’t in sync with each other,” said Hummell. “I think a lot of them were nervous playing their first varsity game.”

Hummell switched to a more traditional system (4-4-2) and Sisters scored goals at the 23rd and 28th minute of the second half.

Josh Marr chipped one into the right side of the net for the first goal and Andy Phillips scored a one-on-one with the keeper for the second goal.

“We were a totally different team the second half,” said Hummell. “Everyone played high energy and worked for each other. We had numerous opportunities with a couple shots hitting off the post and cross bar. The kids showed that they can come back and turn things around.”

Just two days later the Outlaws took down Philomath with a final score of 7-1 in Sisters.

Hummell said his players were eager to play their first home game and as coach he was anxious to see how they would respond to their 2-2 tie on Thursday.

“We came out firing on all cylinders,” said Hummell “and our passing and creativity made for an exciting game.”

Sisters’ first goal came in the 11th minute when Ryley Newport received a pass from Ben Mansker to go one-on-one with Philomath’s keeper. Newport dribbled to the goal and put the ball right between the keeper’s legs.

Matt Bryan scored his first varsity goal just three minutes later with an assist from Newport to give the Outlaws a 2-0 lead.

In the 19th minute Jordan Wellman sent a cross to Andy Phillips who buried it into the net and pushed Sisters to a 3-0 advantage.

Josh Marr scored Sisters’ final goal of the first half with an assist from Charlie Phillips.

The Outlaws defense countered everything Philomath could send.

In the 20th minute of the second half Philomath scored their only goal on a deflection off of a defender.

Sisters responded with a goal from Newport with an assist from Phillips at the 22-minute mark. Newport returned the favor with a cross to Phillips who drove it into the net in the 24th minute. Jacob Evan finished the scoring for Sisters with a header off of a long driven pass from Kelly Crowther in the 28th minute. Sisters walked away with a big 7-1 victory.

“The kids needed this to overcome the disappointment of the last game,” said Hummell. “We have Mt. View on Tuesday who is one of the top ranked 4A teams in the state. We’re excited for the challenge. If we play every game the way we did today, there aren’t many teams that will stop us.”

The Outlaws will play host to Valley Catholic on Saturday, September 17. The game is set to start at noon.