Girls lacrosse makes season debut

Throughout this season the girls lacrosse squad played in unofficial scrimmage games in Bend against Bend United (BU), the only other girls lacrosse team in Central Oregon.

BU has been together for three years and this year took the Lady Outlaws under their wing. BU provided scrimmage opportunities and skill-building practice for the Outlaws players.

Sisters made their official season debut at SALI (Sisters Annual Lacrosse Invitational) on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9. Four girls teams were present: Sisters, BU, Cleveland and Sunset Hills.

Cleveland and Sunset Hills are both seasoned teams from the Portland area and Sunset Hills is one of the top teams in the state.

The Lady Outlaws faced Cleveland in the first game of the tournament and jumped out quick to score the first goal.

Coach Michele Hammer said, "It was like, Yeah! We were able to go on and score some goals, and the girls did a good job of learning the field. They played well under pressure. We have a strong defense and as we develop more stick skills our attack will get even better. We were actually pretty evenly matched."

Sisters lost the contest 7-3.

The Outlaws faced Sunset, a powerhouse from Beaverton, in their second and final game of the tourney.

"Sunset has a whole different level of play," said Hammer, "but it was a good experience for the girls. We did score, and our defense was great, but they outmatched us on stick skills."

Hammer praised goalie Johanne Loughran who was able to stop many of Sunset's shots at the goal.

Two Outlaws players, Kaitlyn Hendrickson and Melody Youngblood, played lacrosse in Oregon City before moving to Sisters, and Hammer told The Nugget that Kaitlyn and Melody's experience helped keep the team settled and focused.

Hammer also noted Lauryn Cummins and Kristina Trahern's contributions to the team.

"Lauryn played attack and wing and brought speed and agility to the game, and Kristina played well at center," said Hammer.

Seventh-grader Jacobie Petterson played at center, attack and defense. According to Hammer, Petterson was fantastic - quick, fast and all over the field.

Hammer was pleased with her entire team.

"They're strong, athletic and willing," she said. "They wanted to be out there and wanted to play the game. Even the beginning lacrosse players were enthusiastic and motivated to improve their skills."

The Lady Outlaws will only lose one player, senior Kristina Trahern, and all other players plan to return next year for another season.

"We hope more girls come out next year to make us an even stronger team," said Hammer.

Next year the Outlaws will join the OGLA (Oregon Girls Lacrosse Association) and play a full league season as a junior varsity team.