Boys lacrosse team starts off strong

The boys lacrosse team players haven't let their inexperience slow them down. In fact, the young squad, with many new starters at the varsity level, is off to a great start.

The Outlaws started off the season with a 21-0 shutout over Redmond. Next up was the Table Rock Tournament in Boise, Idaho, March 12-14. Inclement weather put a damper on the three-day tourney and all games had to be modified and didn't count as full games played.

Most recently, Saturday, March 20, the Outlaws traveled to Burns for a three-game jamboree. Sisters lost 9-8 to Mt. View (Idaho), defeated Mt. View 2 in a score of 9-2 and then beat Capital (Idaho), 5-3.

Mt. View's varsity squad was bigger, stronger, faster and better-skilled than the Outlaws, but Sisters proved they were the tougher of the two teams. Mt. View scored two goals early in the game to go up 2-0, but the Outlaws stayed calm.

"I saw no panic or worry," said Coach Bill Rexford. "I think the lessons learned in other sports they played paid off here, because I know they learned how to compete in football, basketball and wrestling this year, and they responded with two goals of their own to tie the game."

At the half the score was tied 5-5. At the start of the second half each team scored a goal to bring the score to 6-6, and then Mt. View notched two more to take a 9-6 advantage.

With time running out on the clock, the Outlaws put two more into the back of the net to narrow the lead to 9-8. Sisters had the ball for the last two minutes of the game and had several opportunities to score but were unable to get the ball into the goal.

"The boys were not satisfied with a good effort. They were disappointed - they really wanted the win," said Rexford.

Rexford told The Nugget that Capital plays a physical brand of lacrosse, coupled with a lot of spirit, and they brought that type of play to Sisters the entire game. The Outlaws matched Capital's energy and were able to out-hustle them to the ground balls. Sisters was also able to hinder Capital's ability to clear the ball, which gave the Outlaws numerous unsettled scoring opportunities.

"This game was a blast. Our boys were able to play with passion and poise, which I hope they can transfer to their day-to-day activities outside of lacrosse," said Rexford. "Right now I am proud of the boys. We have much to work on, but they want to work."

In every game the Outlaws have played this season they have had at least five different players score. According to Rexford that statistic is very unusual.

"Normally a team has one or two go-to guys, but with so many different players with the ability to score we pose a problem for defenses," said Rexford.

Currently, Ben Bremmer and Justin Duvenick have scored seven goals and recorded two assists each for the Outlaws. Beau Fitzke has seven goals to his credit and Cameron Valdez has seven goals and six assists. Jacob Akaka and Michael Williams have scored three goals, and Marteen Jiminez, Alex Novotny and Seth Schneider, two goals.

Rexford noted that Ryan Long and Gilbert Porraz both played significant varsity minutes for the first time this season on defense.

"They did better than expected and changed my expectations from 'lets learn a lot from these games' to 'lets win these games, gosh darn it!'" stated Rexford. "They played like seasoned veterans."

Billy Sampson was forced to stay on the sidelines due to a knee injury but was an inspirational coach throughout the day.

Rexford praised the play of Connor Morgan and Brennan Layne.

"Connor played his usual Spartan game and scooped up ground ball after ground ball," said Rexford. "Brennan made huge saves throughout the day and cleared the ball effectively."