Lacrosse notches first league win

The Outlaws battled blustery weather conditions to earn a 7-5 win in overtime at home against Harney County on Tuesday, March 31.

Sisters jumped out early to take a 2-0 lead but then watched Harney battle back and take a 5-3 lead at the half. The Outlaws' focused and persistent play in the second half paid off with three more goals and gave them a 6-5 advantage with two minutes left on the clock.

However, Harney was able to score and tied the game at 6-6. Sisters peppered the Harney goalie with a mad flurry of shots in the final seconds of the contest but were unable to score. The game ended in a 6-6 tie and went into sudden-death overtime.

Max Quinn won the face-off in overtime and gained possession for the Outlaws but Harney stripped the ball, raced down the field and ran right into the heart of the Outlaws' defense. Sophomore defender Randon Beech scooped up the ball and threw a long pass to William Saunders (freshman attack). The Harney defense collapsed on Jordan Kolb and Lucas Reitman which left Saunders open on the right side. Saunders raced down the side, faked low and then dumped the ball over the goalie's shoulder for the winning goal.

Coach Bill Rexford pointed out the role the freshmen played in the game.

"Connor Morgan and Ryan Long played major minutes tonight when Nate Wright went down with a shoulder injury," he said. "Chris Smoot also played major minutes tonight. Brennan Layne was spectacular in the goal and made one tremendous stop after another, but my favorite is the one he caught with his face mask. William Saunders had two goals and so did Beau Fitzke. Drew Johnston is new to the sport and played his first entire game. Max Quinn, also new, is playing on the first midline, as is Seth Schneider."

It was nice for the Outlaws to get a win against an evenly matched Harney team.

"Harney has some very good players, and our defense rose to the challenge and made some very impressive stops," Rexford said. "Some may call it ugly, but I thought it was beautiful. We never gave up and we focused on what was in front of us and not what just happened."

The Outlaws were to travel to Churchill on Tuesday, April 7, and will face Glencoe at the Hillsboro Sports Fields on April 11.