Boys lacrosse team defeats Bend High

The Sisters High School boys lacrosse team defeated Bend High 4-2 at home on Tuesday, April 11.

Sisters was up 2-1 at the half. Todd Bell scored the first goal of the game and Doug Emberton the second. Nick Pepperling and Chris Stoery both scored goals in the second half and the Outlaws won by two.

The Outlaws had 56 ground balls in the game compared to Bend’s 27.

“Getting 56 ground balls is just unbelievable,” said Coach Bill Rexford. “Looking at that you’d think Sisters was dominating, but their (Bend High) goalie was so good he kept it close.

“He was just fantastic,” said Rexford. “He really kept the game close and gave them a chance to win it. When we finally got the ball in the goal it was such a relief because we were outplaying them and the score wasn’t showing it.”

The Outlaws spent eight and a half minutes in the penalty box.

“We don’t need to be in the box that long,” said Rexford. “I’d like us to be able to lower that time to three minutes.”

Sisters had 36 shots on goal and Bend finished with 10. Outlaws goalie Thad Anderson finished the game with seven saves.

Rexford told The Nugget that Bend wanted to run, be physical and get in an up-and-down game. Sisters was playing with only three substitutes compared to Bend’s 10 and the Outlaws had to play smart, slow the game down and still out-hustle Bend to get the victory.

The week prior to the Outlaws’ first game of the season, Nate Emberton, attack man for the Outlaws, was injured and Sisters will be forced to play the entire season without him. Emberton broke both bones in his lower leg and separated his ankle at practice.

“It was a huge loss to the team,” said Rexford. “He (Nate) would have been tough to stop and we’ll have to adjust to make up for the loss.”

The lacrosse players plan to work on their stick handling, ball passing and communication this next week in preparation for their games next week.

The team plays Summit at home on Wednesday, April 19 and will travel to Lakeridge on Friday. On Saturday the team will compete in the PNLA (Pacific Northwest Lacrosse Association) tournament.