Soccer team clinches league title for first time

The Outlaws boys’ soccer team clinched the league title for the first time in school history — though not excatly in the way they had hoped.

The team hosted Pleasant Hill at home on Tuesday, October 18. Although the game ended in a disappointing 0-0 tie, it was enough for the Outlaws to lock up first place in the Capital Conference, partly thanks to Marist knocking off Stayton on the same night.

“We did not underestimate this team,” Coach Rich Hummell said. “We prepared all week and took the game seriously. We came off a bit flat and were lazy with our build-up of play. I think we wanted to score as soon as possible and played a lot of through balls to the forwards through the center. The boys were getting frustrated by near misses and shots off the post.”

Pleasant Hill played very defensively and executed their strategy perfectly. According to Hummell, PH loaded up the middle with lots of players and man-marked the forwards. The Billies’ keeper made some great saves and kept them in the game.

“It was just an off game,” said Hummell. “Even though it was a tie, it felt like a loss to the boys. We learned a good lesson and need to start our preparation for state playoffs.”