Boys soccer team loses to Panthers

The Outlaws boys soccer team lost 4-3 at home in a non-league game against Central on Saturday, September 13. The Panthers are ranked No. 3 in the state and proved to be a tough opponent.

Central scored at the five-minute mark to take an early 1-0 lead. Three minutes later Max Quinn hit a solid shot inside the 18-yard box with an assist from Patrick Young to tie it up.

The Panthers scored back-to-back goals 10 minutes later and pushed to a 3-1 advantage.

Sisters scored two goals in the last five minutes of the half to tie the game 3-3. Lee Elder beat a defender from the left side and took a nice shot 15 yards out to score and was followed by Kevin Marquardt who booted it in from just outside the box.

Ten minutes into the second half, keeper Joey Farruggia had to be removed from the field due to rough play by the Panthers. Farruggia was out for the remainder of the game, had to be taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with a lower back sprain.

Central's final goal came ten minutes after the injury and the rest of the game was a stalemate. The game ended in a 4-3 loss for the Outlaws.

"It was a well-battled game and both teams played hard," said Coach Rob Jensen. "Central is a top team and they're rough. The game could have gone either way."

Jensen noted the play of Max Quinn and Lee Elder.

"We had inspired play by Max," said Jensen. "He put a lot of pressure up front, won a lot of balls and made good things happen for us with a lot of hustle. Lee also had a great game. He's finishing so much better this year. His shots are on target and he's getting back on defense well and pushing up on offense."

Sisters will play at Madras on Tuesday, September 16, and four days later at Henley.