Girls soccer team scores win against tough Henley

The Lady Outlaws beat the Henley Hornets 2-1 at home on Saturday, September 18, to wrap up their pre-season with three straight wins. Two days earlier Sisters defeated the White Buffaloes at Madras.

On Saturday, it was a tough matchup against Henley's bigger, taller, stronger players, but the Lady Outlaws persevered and proved they can play with the best.

Henley has a well-established program and lost only two games last year. Sisters played right with Henley in a hard-fought, physical, aggressive game and pulled off the win.

"I knew going in it was going to be a big challenge for us," stated Coach Nik Goertzen. "The kids really, really responded."

Goertzen told The Nugget that after Henley scored just four minutes into the game, his team looked at each other and their faces said, "Uh-oh, they're a good team and we've got to work harder.

"I tried to communicate to the kids how good Henley really was, but until that goal happened they didn't understand how much better we needed to play," said Goertzen.

After Henley's goal Sisters played a different game. The Outlaws communicated better and were aggressive, more physical and made better passes. Sisters answered back at the 21-minute mark and tied the game 1-1. Natalie Ambrose passed the ball from the middle to the outside to Jodie Reoch, who launched it up and over the keeper's head for the goal.

"Once we put that goal in it was OK, game on," said Goertzen. "We had a huge adrenaline rush and matched them toe to toe."

Ten minutes later the Lady Outlaws scored again and took a 2-1 lead. Kelly Cole passed the ball from the outside up to Reoch, who booted it in to the right of the keeper.

The lead held through an intense second half.

"We didn't score but we were really close," said Goertzen. "Henley's goalie, because of her height, made some great saves. Against any other team we would have scored."

Sara Small had nine saves. Sisters had nine shots on goal and Henley's keeper recorded four saves.

Midfielders Natalie Ambrose and Breezy Tewalt were the shining stars in the Lady Outlaws 7-0 shutout against Madras at home on Tuesday, September 14. The duo combined for five of Sisters' seven goals. Ambrose recorded a hat trick and Tewalt scored two goals in the contest.

Sisters was to open league play at home on Tuesday, September 21, against Junction City and then will travel to Cottage Grove on Thursday.