Girls soccer finishes week with a win

Nasty weather didn't seem to hinder the Lady Outlaws in their 6-0 win at home over Elmira on Thursday, October 18. The Outlaws battled through blowing winds, horizontal rains and hail to claim the victory which moved them into fourth place in league standings.

Coach Nik Goertzen said: "At this point in the season, it's not so much that we win, its how we win. Today, we played with a purpose."

Mindy Marr got the Outlaws on the scoreboard eight minutes into the game. Marr scored a great shot from deep inside the 18-yard box on a perfect throw-in from Kelly Cole. Thirteen minutes later Katie Taylor passed the ball to McKenzie Williams, who took it in and scored from the top of the box to give the Outlaws a 2-0 lead.

Sisters' third goal came off of a free kick opportunity.

"We ran a designed play which was actually a hidden ball play," said Goertzen. "Katie (Taylor) scored on a direct free kick from 24 yards out. It was a beautiful shot."

Less than two minutes later the Outlaws scored again. Marr passed the ball from the middle to Williams, who scored from eight yards out. The shot was well placed and landed in the far left corner of the goal. Sisters entered the half with a 4-0 lead.

Goertzen told The Nugget his team relaxed a little and came out at the start of the second half a little flat.

In the 71st minute Marin Allen scored on a pass from Hattie Tehan, and the Outlaws pushed to a 5-0 advantage. With one minute left in the game, Tehan made another great pass to Marr at the top of the box. Marr shot it up and over the keeper to score and secure the 6-0 Outlaw win.

"We had control of the ball today and played as a team," said Goertzen. "We had good rhythm and pressed the whole time."

Sisters had 42 shots on goal, and Elmira managed only nine.

Goertzen told The Nugget that Taylor Pelham played a great game and did an excellent job of controlling the middle. Goertzen also praised Jenna Sneva for her play at the keeper position the second half of the game and noted she had a couple of great saves.

Three days earlier the Lady Outlaws lost 1-2 to Junction City (JC).

JC scored first at the 18-minute mark to take a 1-0 lead. Sisters answered back 20 minutes later with an unassisted goal by Williams. Williams dribbled inside the 18-yard mark and took a bullet shot that deflected off one of the JC defenders and went into the goal. At the half the score was tied 1-1.

JC scored in the 52nd minute of the second half to take a 2-1 advantage. The goal seemed to zap the life out of the Lady Outlaws.

"We played very lethargic," said Coach Goertzen. "JC was first to every single ball. We lost all our steam and didn't respond or step up."

The Outlaws' last home game of the season will be Thursday, October 25, against Pleasant Hill.