Lady Outlaws soccer team wins pair of games

The Lady Outlaws soccer team notched two more wins last week with a 5-0 shutout over Junction City (JC) on Tuesday, September 23, and a 6-1 victory over Creswell two days later.

In Tuesday's game against JC, Sisters scored early in the contest off an unassisted goal by Mindy Marr. Marr banked it perfectly up and over the keeper's head to give the Outlaws a 1-0 lead.

Three minutes before the half, Marin Allen took a nice pass from Karah Herr and banged it in to the left of the keeper. At the half Sisters was up 2-0.

The Outlaws were feeling pretty good at the half but Coach Nik Goertzen cautioned them to not let up and encouraged them to play with urgency.

At the 62-minute mark, Amity Alvin scored on a pass from McKenzie Cooper and Sisters pushed to a 3-0 advantage.

Twelve minutes later, Breezy Tewalt scored an unassisted goal. Tewalt took a shot that smashed off the far post but, fortunately, Tewalt recovered the ball. The keeper didn't have a chance as Tewalt's second shot connected and landed in the back of the net.

Sisters' final goal came with 10 minutes left in the game.

"Michele (Young) took a shot that connected with Marin (Allen) and went into the goal. It was an unusual, weird thing," said Goertzen.

Goertzen noted the exceptional play of Amity Calvin and the great job Lauren Cummins did at sweeper.

"Amity's effort, intensity, moves and her push to win every ball was outstanding and it was really fun to watch," said Goertzen. "And Lauren did a great job when she stepped in for Peggy (Barrett) who went down after a collision and was out for about 12 minutes.

The Outlaws shot 17 times on goal and finished five. Outlaws keeper Sara Small had seven saves in the contest.

"Overall, we're playing great, solid soccer," said Goertzen. "Our passes are crisp and sharp and going where we need them to go. Our communication and team chemistry is in tune. We're working so well together and are in sync with each other."

Players Tewalt and Small had similar comments about their team.

"We're a lot stronger as a team than we were last year," said Tewalt. "We listen to each other and really work as a unit and Sara (Small's) ninja goalie skills have saved us multiple times."

Freshmen Small said, "This is my first year on varsity and it's been very intense and very exciting. I like how our team talks to each other and encourages each other and doesn't get mad and yell and scream at each other. We've seen other teams do that and it doesn't help."

On Wednesday, the Outlaws notched another win at Creswell.

Michele Young scored an unassisted goal at the 32-minute mark to get the Outlaws on the scoreboard and at the half Sisters held a 1-0 lead.

Sisters took 17 shots on goal in the first half but were only able to finish one, which did not please Coach Goertzen.

"I didn't really yell at the girls at the half but I did nip at them," said Goertzen. "They played a very sloppy first half and if I had to sum it up in one word it would be ugly. They did come out and play much better in the second half."

Two minutes into the second half Young crossed the ball from the middle to the right side to Karah Herr. Herr scored on a shot to the near post away from the keeper and Sisters went up 2-0.

At the 51-minute mark Kelly Cole crossed the ball on a corner kick to Amity Calvin who scored on a deflection. Three minutes later Allen scored an unassisted goal that went right up the middle. Sisters extended the lead to 4-0.

Goertzen said, "At that point the girls decided the game was over and went back to their sloppy ways and gave up a goal."

Sisters' final goal came at the 79-minute mark on a designed play off a direct kick. Hattie Tehan kicked it up and the ball sailed over the keeper's head.

Sisters finished five of their 17 second-half attempts while Creswell only managed four shots on goal.

The Outlaws will host Cottage Grove on Tuesday, September 30, and then travel to La Pine on Monday, October 6.