Outlaws battle through tough lacrosse games

The boys lacrosse team battled in many tight games these last two weeks and continue to improve each week.

Sisters lost 7-4 against long-time rival Thurston on Tuesday, April 6, and came back to notch a 5-4 victory at Bend on Tuesday, April 13. The Outlaws lost by one to Aloha in a final score of 9-8 at Sisters four days later. The Outlaws beat Mt. View at home 6-2 on Tuesday, April 20, and then fell 7-6 at Summit on April 23.

Sisters put up a valiant effort and pushed the Storm into five overtimes before the three-hour battle finally came to an end.

Sisters was the underdog coming into the game. No. 1-ranked Summit has set the standard for lacrosse in Central Oregon the last couple of seasons.

Cameron Valdez wasn't intimidated by Summit or their top rank. Valdez won the opening face off, raced down the field and passed the ball to Ben Bremer. Bremer scored and the Outlaws were up 1-0 with only 11 seconds off the clock.

Sisters traded goals with Summit and went into the half tied 4-4. The Outlaws and Summit traded goals back and forth in the second half and at the end of regulation the score was tied 6-6 and the game went into overtime.

After five overtimes, consisting of four minutes each, Summit was able to knock in a goal and get the win.

"Basically, tonight was as long as a game-and-a-half, and there were highlights about every five seconds," Coach Bill Rexford said.

Rexford noted the play of several Outlaws.

"William Saunders is playing big for us right now. Jacob Akaka scored on a beautiful fast-break goal to put us up 2-1, and Ben Bremer chipped in two gutsy goals as well."

Rexford said that his midfielders, Charles Duvenick, Seth Schneider, Beau Fitzke, Cameron Valdez, Drew Vandiver and Chris Smoot worked very, very hard the entire game.

"These guys ran more tonight than anybody would ever want to," he said.

"The defense played solid as well," added Rexford. "Billy Sampson, Drew Johnston and Randon Beech are playing together and playing great. Connor Morgan is just a beast out there. He is adding a touch of flair to his usual gritty play. I am in disbelief at times that he is just a sophomore."

Ben Bremer said, "We came out strong tonight. We played awesome defense and didn't let them shoot. Our goal is to beat Summit when they come here for the last game of league before playoffs."

Sisters had a solid all-around performance in their 6-2 win over Mountain View. The Outlaws out-shot the Cougars 34-18. Mt. View's goalie was very good and made Sisters earn every single goal. Sisters' defense also put forth tremendous effort and worked as a unit.

The Outlaws got off to a slow start against Aloha on Saturday, April 17. Sisters spotted Aloha four goals before they finally got on the scoreboard and went into the half down 5-1. The second half was a different game. The Outlaws clawed their way back and with three minutes left in the game were up 8-7. Aloha scored on two broken clears to nab the game in the end.

Sisters beat Bend 5-4 in a close one at Bend on April 13. The Outlaws hustled after every single ground ball, which proved to be the difference in the game. It was just enough energy to get them over the top.

The Outlaws had a hard time in their game against Thurston on April 6. Sisters was slow to the ball and, according to Rexford, were in a fog.

At the half Thurston held a 5-1 lead. Sisters picked it up in the second half and started to scratch their way back into the game. The Outlaws shut out the Colts in the third quarter and scored three goals to narrow Thurston's lead to 5-4. With three minutes left on the clock Sisters got off a good shot, but unfortunately Thurston's goalie made the save. The Colts came back on a fast break to score and went on to win 7-4.

Sisters will host Burns on Thursday, April 29.