Boys hold state champs to 0-0 tie

The Outlaws boys soccer battled to a 0-0 tie against defending state champions, the Lions of Cottage Grove, at home on Wednesday, October 7.

Cottage Grove had several opportunities to score in the first half, but Outlaws goalie Drew Harrison was at the top of his game in the box and made many outstanding saves for Sisters.

In the second half, Tim Hernandez was red-carded and was removed from the game. The Outlaws had to play one man down for the remaining 20 minutes of regulation play. At the end of regulation the score remained tied 0-0, and the game went into overtime.

Sisters continued to attack and had some good shots on goal but just couldn't get it in. After two 10-minute overtimes, the score was still even at 0-0.

Coach Rob Jensen said, "To be able to play even with the defending state champions with one man down - I'm happy with that. We had opportunities to score and we could have potentially won the game."

Not only did Sisters play one man down, they also played without two of their starters, Sam Quinn and Dirk Van der Velde. Quinn was out due to illness and Ven der Velde was out with a mild concussion. Van der Velde has been cleared and will play next week.

Two days earlier the Outlaws suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Falcons at Elmira.

Sisters played well, dominated play all over the field and had many opportunities to score, but just could not get it in the goal.

Elmira scored 18 minutes into the game and held on for the win. Falcon all-state goalie, Max Beebe, was instrumental in the win and made several key saves in the contest.

Coach Rob Jensen said, "He's the best in the league and probably one of the best goalies in the state. I feel good about how the guys played. We probably had 20 shots on goal in the second half but we just couldn't get it in."

The Outlaws travel to Junction City on Tuesday, October 13, and on Thursday, October 15, will host Pleasant Hill.