Soccer girls win their league opener

The Lady Outlaws soccer squad defeated the Stayton Eagles 5-1 in their league opener at home on Monday, September 26.

The Eagles scored their first and only goal in the 18th minute of the first half.

Sisters ended the half down 1-0.

Coach Lee Bellahdid said, “The girls dropped their level of play and stepped softly on the field. They weren’t intense. That changed dramatically in the second half. The girls came back very intense and took the game very seriously.”

Kelly Morton scored at the one minute mark of the second half with an assist from Katie Taylor.

“After several attempts to score and the ball rebounding back, Morton was there to finish,” said Bellahdid.

Sisters’ second goal came from Rose Slavkovsky in the 13th minute off another Taylor assist. Taylor’s pass was nice and soft and Slavkovsky shot it low into the left side of the goal.

The Lady Outlaws scored two more goals in the next three minutes. Taylor penetrated through the defense for a goal and Morton followed with a shot into the right side on an attack from back to front with an assist from defender Nicole Veloso.

Liz Dale capped Sisters’ scoring in the 27th minute on a great give and go with Taylor. Taylor dished a nice, smooth pass deep inside the box and Dale softly directed the ball into the back of the net.

“It was a very beautiful play,” said Bellahdid.

Bellahdid had praise for three of his players.

“Kelly (Morton) and Katie (Taylor) have really stepped up their level of play this season,” said Bellahdid. “Today Kelly had two goals and one assist and Katie had four assists and one goal. All this happened in 40 minutes and not too many players can step up and do that.

“Annie (Hancock) played very determined in the second half. She won the ball in the air and most of the 50-50 balls. Defensively, she helped us shut down their (Stayton’s) offense in the second half.”

The Eagles only had one shot on goal the entire second half.

“When we were down 1-0 I wasn’t worried,” said Bellahdid. “I was very confident my team would come back. Today was a good lesson for us. It doesn’t matter who you play, it’s how you play.”

Two days later the Outlaws shut out the Cascade Cougars 5-0.

Katie Taylor scored off a direct free kick at the six minute mark to give Sisters a 1-0 lead.

Sixteen minutes into the half Rose Slavkovsky crossed a beautiful ball to Kelly Morton who was there to finish. Two minutes later Taylor executed excellent dribbling skills to penetrate the defense and booted the ball into the net just inside the right post.

Sisters’ offense scored two additional goals in the second half while the defense continued to hold off the Cougars.

Liz Dale scored off an assist from Taylor at the 18 minute mark and at the 33 minute mark McKenzie Williams scored the Lady Outlaws’ fifth and final goal of the game.

“McKenzie carried the ball all the way from the midfield using her tremendous speed, faked a shot with her right foot and finished with a soft touch with her left foot,” said Bellahdid.

Bellahdid commended his defense for their outstanding play and holding the Cougars to just two shots on goal.

The Lady Outlaws are currently ranked ninth in the state, tied with Caitlin Gable and North Valley.

Sisters will travel to Sweet Home on Wednesday, October 5.