Girls soccer wins first round in state playoffs

The girls soccer team recovered a 4-1 win over Riverside in Boardman on Saturday, November 7, and will advance to the second round of the state playoffs.

Sisters will take on Westside Christian, the No. 1 seed from Special District 8, on Tuesday, November 10, at 4:30 p.m. The game will be played in Portland at Tualatin Park and Recreation District field.

Marin Allen scored Sisters' first goal in Saturday's match-up with Riverside. Allen took a pass from Mindy Marr at the 16-minute mark and made a great shot that went up and over the keeper to give the Outlaws a 1-0 lead.

Just a little over a minute-and-a-half later, Allen scored her second goal of the day on a pass from Jodie Reoch. Reoch passed it over to the middle to Allen, who punched it in to the left of the keeper.

At the half Sisters held a 2-0 lead.

Sisters gave up a goal 10 minutes into the second half and Riverside closed the gap to 2-1.

The Outlaws responded 20 minutes later with a goal that put them up 3-1. Karah Herr was outside the 18-yard box on the right side and made a perfect pass to the middle to Reoch, who captured the ball and scored with her right foot on a shot that went left of the keeper.

Sisters' final goal came in the 87th minute, on an unassisted goal from Kelly Cole, who crossed it up and over into the far corner of the net to seal the Outlaws' victory.

Coach Nik Goertzen said, "It was very windy, and hard to play because of the wind. The ball was going all over the place. We played sloppy but it was good enough to win."

Goertzen noted the play of Marin Allen, Peggy Barrett, Loryn Cummins and Sarah Small.

"Marin's two goals at the beginning of the game really gave us a spark and got us off to a great start," said Goertzen. "Peggy and Loryn both really mixed it up on defense and really did a nice job defending, especially in the second half. Sarah did a great job in the goal. She had seven saves, and two of them were just awesome."

Earlier in the week, on Monday, November 2, the Lady Outlaws shut out Junction City (JC) 3-0 at home.

Sisters jumped out early and scored just four minutes into the contest. Marin Allen passed the ball to Mindy Marr inside the 18-yard mark, and Marr blasted the ball into the net to the left of the keeper for the goal.

Twelve minutes later Michelle Young raced down the field on the right sideline and passed to the middle to Allen. Allen sent the ball up and over the keeper's head from 14 yards out for the goal, and Sisters took a 2-0 lead.

"That first goal was a shock to JC," said Coach Nik Goertzen, "and then our second goal was 'oh, boy, we're in trouble.'"

At the half the Lady Outlaws were up 2-0.

Sisters capped their scoring in the 86th minute of the second half. Marr made a great pass to Young, who scored a goal that went to the left of the keeper inside the far post.

"That was the nail that sealed the deal," said Goertzen.

Sisters maintained control and ran down the final three minutes on the clock to secure the win.

"The girls played very well as a defensive unit," said Goertzen. "They did a good job of keeping JC off balance and our offense controlled the ball and kept them from getting into a rhythm of attack. Collectively, as a group, we really stepped it up and played a complete game. JC is one of our biggest rivals, so anytime we beat them, it's an awesome feeling."

Goertzen noted the defensive play of Mindy Marr and Cassie Hernandez.

"Mindy dominated the middle to win 50/50 balls and Cassie was in the right place at the right time, time and time again."

Sisters finished the game with 23 shots on goal and limited JC to eight shots on goal, four in each half.