Lacrosse repeats as league champs

The lacrosse team finished up league with a 9-7 win over Summit at home on Tuesday, May 13, to clinch the league championship for the second year in a row.

Sisters got off with a solid start with Ashton Sims scoring the first two goals. Unfortunately, the Outlaws spent the next three minutes in the penalty box and the Outlaws found themselves down 3-2 at the close of the quarter.

Coach Bill Rexford was pleased with his team's response to the situation.

"The last time we played Summit it was almost the identical scenario. This time, instead of becoming frustrated and taking more penalties, we settled down."

Sisters scored three more times before the half, with goals from Nate Emberton, Marcus Gaboni and Carroll Gryder. At the half, the Outlaws had regained the lead 5-3.

Sisters' defense had to overcome the loss of Emery Meyer, who tore his ACL the previous week, but the Outlaws were up to the challenge.

"They did not try to do too much, and consequently Summit was unable to create opportunities on offense because we were not helping them, at least not at first."

The Outlaws spent three minutes in the penalty box in the third quarter and Summit scored twice to bring the game to within a point. The fourth quarter belonged to Sisters. The Outlaws scored three times to Summit's two, and won the game 9-7.

"What was impressive to me about the win was how we reacted to adversity," said Rexford. "One of the pillars of the football program is 'Life is 10 percent of what happens to you, and 90 percent how you respond.' Today, we made the most of that 90 percent."

Dominic Nieri played the entire game - except for his three penalties - which impressed Rexford considerably.

"That just does not happen," said Rexford. "It was an incredible display of stamina. I've only known maybe a half- dozen players in my coaching and playing career that could pull that off."

Junior Jordan Kolb feels the team is playing at its best.

Kolb said, "We're finally at the place we can do what we knew we were capable of. At the beginning of the season we were more of a ratball team but now we're much better, especially with our stick skills. We're running on all cylinders, everyone is playing unselfishly and we're having lots of fun."

At the close of the contest, the game ball was given to Coach Gary Pepperling.

"Gary is the heart and soul of Outlaw athletics," said Rexford. "He's like a mountain. The students will come and go but Pepperling will always be there as a fixture on the cultural landscape of what makes the Outlaws what they are."

Last week the Outlaws notched a 12-2 win at Redmond on Tuesday, May 6, and on Saturday trounced Hermiston 18-3.

In Tuesday's game with Redmond, Rexford switched players up in their positions for most of the game. Dom Nieri scored five goals, Nate Emberton scored four goals and Marcus Gaboni, Nolan Titchner and Lucas Rietmann each scored once.

Near the end of the game senior Emery Meyer tore his ACL and will be out for the remainder of the season. Meyer will play lacrosse again, but next time it will be for Southern Oregon University in Ashland.

On Saturday, the Outlaws traveled six hours for their game with Hermiston. The game belonged to the Outlaws from the start. At the close of the first quarter Sisters held a 9-1 lead and at half-time had stretched their advantage to 14-2. The Outlaws added four goals in the second half to cap their scoring at 18. Emberton scored seven goals, Nieri scored five, Rietmann scored four and Gaboni added two.

Sisters will host the second round of the state playoffs on Tuesday, May 20, at 6 p.m.