Girls soccer team falls in semi-finals

The Lady Outlaws girls soccer team's stellar season came to an end when they lost 4-2 in the semi-finals at home on Tuesday, November 17 to No. 1-ranked Catlin Gable (CG) in the state playoffs.

A huge crowd of over 400 gathered to cheer, shout and encourage the Outlaws in their battle against the infamous Eagles, who have won 10 out of the last 12 championships.

Despite the loss, the Outlaws made school history as the first soccer team ever from Sisters High School to make it to the semi-finals, and the entire team and coaching staff were definitely proud of their accomplishments.

Senior midfielder Mindy Marr said, "We've got a lot to be proud of. We made it further than any team before us and finished with the best record of any team, with 14 wins. It was a good way to end my senior season. This was the best group of girls I've been with in four years."

Both Marr and junior Marin Allen said that they were not sad that they lost, but were sad that it was all over. Both commented that they know they could have made it to the next level.

Coach Nik Goertzen told The Nugget that, going into the game, he thought the Outlaws would be completely overmatched. But looking back, he realized that wasn't the case at all.

"We were right there with them," said Goertzen. "But from a technical standpoint for about 16 minutes we had some breakdowns that hurt us bad. They were things we can't do in practice. They're mental things that come specifically with game experience playing at playoff level. Your mental game has to be absolutely at the top. This game was a wonderful challenge that allowed us to grow. Even though it hurts to lose, we gained a lot from the experience."

The Outlaws started the game with high intensity and focus and matched the Eagles power for power and step for step.

Just 1:59 into the contest, Marin Allen scored on a pass from Zoe McAllister. McAllister made a fantastic pass from the middle to the front to Allen, who split the defenders and took the shot. The ball went up and over the tips of the keeper's fingers into the right back corner of the net and Sisters took a very early 1-0 lead.

The crowd went wild with excitement as shouts and screams echoed around the field.

"We were playing great and then we even scored first," said Goertzen. "I think it threw them for a loop. They weren't ready for our energy. But, to their credit, they didn't hang their heads. They realized we were serious and that they would have to step it up. Up to that point, no one else had ever scored on them that early in a game."

The Outlaws took four more shots on goal but the Eagles' keeper, freshman Emma Ronai-Durning, made some incredible saves.

At the 18:12 mark CG tied it up. The Outlaws had a breakdown on defense which allowed the shot to get through for the goal and even the score at 1-1. Just a little over nine minutes later CG scored again and took a 2-1 lead.

At the 38:30 mark CG knocked in another one to go up 3-1.

"At that point we were in trouble," said Goertzen. "I felt we relaxed and allowed that first goal, and then we didn't regain the intensity we had at the beginning of the game."

With three minutes left in the first half, the Outlaws were charged with a foul and the Eagles were awarded a penalty kick. The shot was good and Sisters entered the half down by three goals.

"We were stunned," said Goertzen. "We were just numb and didn't comprehend what was happening."

Sisters regrouped at the half, and Goertzen reminded his team about their talk before the game. Prior to the game, the entire team and coaching staff had wrapped tape around their wrists and drew a heart with a capital C inside the heart on the tape. Goertzen reminded his players of the tape and what it meant; to play the game with the heart of a champion and no matter what happens, never give up.

The Outlaws came out with renewed determination and energy and scored just 31 seconds into the second half. Kelly Cole crossed the ball from outside the 18-yard box to Mindy Marr, who made a quick finish to the right of the keeper to narrow the Eagles lead to 4-2.

For the next 20 minutes the Outlaws played with the same intensity and energy they had at the start of the game, played tough defense and attacked on offense.

The ball went back and forth the remainder of the game, the clock ticked down and the game ended in a 4-2 loss for Sisters.

Sophomore keeper Sara Small said, "We played really good. They capitalized on our tiny mistakes. We had so many chances and we controlled the ball most of the game. I guess luck wasn't on our side. We didn't make it all the way but we made it so far. I think people respect soccer a little more. Next year, our team as a whole will be so much more focused because we know now how good we can be and it can be done."

Marin Allen said, "We had the ball more and had more shots on goal. I think we were the better team but we just couldn't finish. We had a phenomenal season.

"We're the best soccer team that's walked through SHS."