Boys lacrosse has busy week

The Outlaws lacrosse team started their season at full speed with four games in their first week of league competition.

On Tuesday, March 15, the Outlaws lost 6-2 to Sheldon but came back on Thursday to defeat Redmond 20-0. On Saturday, the Outlaws left town for a six-day trip for games in the Portland area. Sisters played two games in Hillsboro on Saturday, against Hood River and Liberty, two of the top 10 teams in the state.

The Outlaws beat Hood River 2-1 and then fell 3-2 to Liberty.

Sisters put forth a great effort against a solid Sheldon squad in Tuesday's game and played even with them for three quarters, trailing by just one point at the half, 3-2. The Outlaws couldn't stop Sheldon in the fourth and lost by four.

Jacob Akaka and William Saunders scored Sisters' two goals. Beau Fitzke, Sebastian Boehm, and Chris Smoot dictated the pace and controlled the ball well. These players all showed their athleticism and played their positions well. Ryan Long and Michael Williams were strong and dependable at the midfield position.

The goals that the Outlaws gave up were in transition and the result of Sheldon capitalizing on Sisters' inexperience.

Coach Bill Rexford said, "The good news is that we're not going to be inexperienced for long, and those goals are soon going to be really tough for opponents to get."

Rexford commended goalie Brennan Layne for his most confident and competent game to date and stated he was pleased with the play of the new players to the varsity team.

"On defense, I know that Connor Morgan and Randon Beech are as good as you get," said Rexford. "And on attack, William Saunders and Jacob Akaka play like wily veterans, but to see junior Wyatt Gladden, sophomores Colton Cooper, Isaiah Glatz, Gabe Reitmann and freshmen Jacob Biber, Scott Nelson, and Jens Staldi play so well gives me great optimism for the near future."

The Outlaws played at a high level to defeat 5A Hood River in their first game on Saturday. Beau Fitzke scored early in the first half to give Sisters a 1-0 lead, and Sebastian Boehm knocked in an unassisted goal late in the second half to give the Outlaws the win.

Goalie Brennan Layne turned in an outstanding performance in the box and recorded five saves in the contest.

Sisters lost 3-2 to 6A Liberty in their second game of the day. Layne had another incredible performance in the box and recorded 12 saves for the Outlaws. Boehm and Will Saunders scored Sisters' two goals.

Rexford said, "Liberty's a really good team and they've got a good program. I'm very proud of all the guys and the way they played today. It's already the beginning of a trip that's going to be a huge success."

The Outlaws were to play against Century at the Hillsboro Sports Fields on March 22, and two days later will wrap up their road trip with a game at Oregon City.