Boys JV soccer team racks up five wins

The boys junior varsity soccer team is well into the season and have five wins under their belts.

The Outlaws to date have defeated Bend JV2 (8-2), Madras (5-2), Elmira (4-1), Junction City (5-1) and Bend (6-0).

Sisters played an outstanding game against Central on Friday, September 18, in their first game of the season, despite the fact they lost 0-1.

Coach Thomas Draxler told The Nugget that with less than a minute left in the contest, forward Chad Cummings took a shot that hit the crossbar, came down and hit the line and then went out of the box. The entire Sisters squad erupted with exuberant shouts, positive the shot was good and the game was tied. Unfortunately, the referee saw otherwise and the goal didn't count.

"Even though we lost, in my opinion it was a stand-out game," said Draxler. "The kids went crazy. We thought we had it, but evidently we didn't."

The Outlaws' game at Junction City was definitely the most fun.

"It rained the entire time," said Draxler. "The kids were slipping and sliding everywhere and their hair looked so funny because of the rain."

Sebastian Boehm scored a hat trick (three goals) in the game and Robert Small and Ryan Pollard each added one.

The Tigers scored their lone goal in the second half and the Outlaws walked away with a 5-1 victory.

Last week at home, on October 7, the Outlaws tied Cottage Grove 2-2.

The Lions held a 2-1 lead as time clicked off the clock toward the end of the game. Sophomore Trenton Kropf turned the game around. Kropf hit an unassisted power shot from 35 yards out near the sideline that went across the goal and into the upper-left corner of the net to tie the game at 2-2.

"It felt like we won because it was such a great shot," said Draxler. "It was easily the best goal of the season so far. Trenton has got the talent to hit the ball very hard from outside - more than anyone else on the team."

Draxler noted three stand-out players on the squad, including junior forward Chad Cummings, freshman goalie Zack Hannemann and sophomore center mid, Sebastian Boehm.

Cummings stands out for his amazing top spin in his free kicks where it's a challenge to get the ball over the wall and under the crossbar. You need to be precise to make that shot into the goal and Chad has that ability.

"Of all the players I've ever had, he (Cummings) can bend his foot in a way I've never seen except in the pros," said Draxler.

Hannemann is a very aggressive player in the goal and can punt the ball very far.

"He's got all the skills," said Draxler, "and he has an attitude that every coach wants on his team."

Boehm is perfect for center mid and plays his position well.

"Sebastian has exceptional ball control and can dribble through the entire defense of the opposing team, which he has done many times. He's one of our highest scorers and he has the confidence to talk to and direct the other players on the team, which makes him a great leader," said Draxler.

As the Outlaws look to finish up their final four games to wrap up their season, Draxler said there are three things the team will continue to work on.

"We need to push up and possess the other team's half, which will make all the difference in the world on who controls the game. Next, we need to be aggressive and go to the ball, and finally, we need to get open for each other, communicate and pass quickly. It's encouraging as a coach to see the kids get these concepts and win games with them, and if we continue to do this we'll be successful."