Girls soccer claims league title

The Lady Outlaws were crowned the Sky-Em champions when they capped their undefeated season with a 9-0 shutout over Elmira at home on Wednesday, October 27.

Sisters steamrolled over the visiting Hawks in a game that was held at Reed Stadium under the lights. More than 200 enthusiastic fans cheered and celebrated as the Outlaws culminated league play with a decisive victory.

Sisters got off to a slow start, but after the first goal finally went in the Lady Outlaws were unstoppable. Seven different players contributed in the extraordinary offensive effort.

Natalie Ambrose kick- started the Lady Outlaws at the 20-minute mark, and the team's entire focus and energy changed. Ambrose won the ball in the air and headed it in off on a corner kick by Kelly Cole.

Two minutes later, Jodie Reoch took a pass from Marin Allen in the middle of the field and drove in a shot to the right of the keeper.

At the 12-minute mark, Allen scored an unassisted goal and Sisters took a 3-0 lead. Allen made a nice move to the middle and punched it in to the right of the keeper. Neither team scored for the next 28 minutes, and at the half Sisters was up 3-0.

Breezy Tewalt scored four minutes into the second half and kept the momentum going. McKenzie Cooper connected with Tewalt on a perfect pass and Tewalt booted it up and over the goalie to score.

Cooper, who was moved up from midfielder to forward at the half, scored her first goal of the season just four minutes later. Cooper received a great pass from Allen and blasted it in to the far post with such force the keeper didn't have a chance for the save.

At the 52-minute mark Allen scored an unassisted goal with a bullet that sailed at chin height past the keeper into the right side of the net. Sisters pushed to a 6-0 advantage.

Marissa Haynes knocked the ball straight into the cage for the Outlaws' seventh goal, thanks to a Hannah Saraceno assist. In the 74th minute Michelle Young booted one into the left corner of the goal off a corner kick deflection. Allen capped Sisters' scoring with 38 seconds left on the clock. Allen recorded her third goal for a hat trick with a 25-yard shot straight up the middle, up and over the goalie into the back of the net.

The Outlaws walked away with the win, recorded their eighth shutout in league, and were crowned league champions. This was the first time the girls' soccer team has won a title at the 4A level. The last league championship was recorded in 2003 when Sisters was in the Capital Conference (3A).

As the buzzer sounded and brought an end to the game the Lady Outlaws converged into a huddle in the center of the field. The entire squad opened can after can of Canada Dry and squirted and sprayed each other as they shouted and yelled, Outlaws! League Champs!"

Seniors Breezy Tewalt, McKenzie Cooper and Hannah Saraceno were excited to comment on the game and the team's accomplishments so far.

"It was nice for the seniors to get to start and finish the game together," said Tewalt. "We all came together as a team and got to put on a good show for our fans."

Cooper, with a huge grin on her face, added, "It's so exciting that it's not over yet. And, we get to add a final red ribbon to our shoe, the 13th one. Now we have a ribbon for every game we've played and won this year."

Saraceno, a transfer from Summit, finished her first soccer season as an Outlaw and stated she has loved every minute.

"This year has been amazing," said Hannah. "I love playing here, I love how friendly everyone is and I love being part of this team. And, I'm really excited we get to go to state."

Coach Nik Goertzen added his own thoughts on the game.

"At the start of the game we were kind of in awe of the stadium, the lights and the fans," shivered Goertzen, who was drenched with Canada Dry. "It took us a while to concentrate and get our focus. Finally, we got on a roll and carried on. Elmira was out of sorts and we took advantage of that. We exploited their weaknesses and were relentless."

The Lady Outlaws will play at home on Saturday, November 6, against the No. 4 seed from the Oregon West Conference. Game time is set for noon.