Outlaws defeat top Valley lacrosse teams

The young Outlaws lacrosse squad wrapped up their weeklong Portland trip with two big wins over top Valley teams. Sisters beat Century 13-3 on Tuesday, March 22, and two days later took down Oregon City 13-6.

Sophomore Isaiah Glatz scored Sisters' first goal on Tuesday. Glatz took the ball, maneuvered through defenders, and sprinted to the cage to score and get the Outlaws off to a great start.

William Saunders, Jacob Akaka, and Beau Fitzke also scored in the first half to give Sisters a 4-2 lead.

Coach Bill Rexford told The Nugget that Century was a very good team and had the best player he's ever seen at the high school level.

"This kid, with 10 seconds left in the half, won the faceoff, took three steps and scored," said Rexford. "He won the following faceoff and almost scored again. It was frightening how fast he was, and it scared us and woke us up. We realized we needed to pay attention."

Rexford noted that the entire Century team could catch and throw, and his team wasn't used to play at that level.

However, it all seemed to click for the Outlaws in the second half, and the team realized they could compete with a top team.

"We may not look as good with our stick skills, but the knowledge is there, we're focused and we support each other," said Rexford. "We're always pushing and trying."

Sisters won 80 percent of all the ground balls which, according to Rexford, was the difference in the game. The Outlaws went on to score nine more goals in the second half, with multiple goals from Akaka and Saunders.

"All our goals were team goals," said Rexford. "We attacked the cage and finished opportunities."

Rexford said that the defense deserved most of the credit for the win. The entire defense communicated well, put out a strong effort and cleared the ball well.

On Thursday, Sisters wrapped up their week with a tough game against Oregon City.

"I was watching their team warm up and thought to myself, 'It's going to be a long day,'" said Rexford. "I was very worried. We were tired and sore, and we only had 14 players compared to their 30. Oregon City has a big program and they've got subs everywhere."

It was a tough battle, but the Outlaws persevered and proved they've got what it takes to be a great team. At the half Sisters held a slim 6-5 advantage, but the Outlaws came back in the second half and shut Oregon City down.

The defense concentrated on the job at hand and the offense put the ball in the cage, outscoring Oregon City 7-1 in the second half. Beau Fitzke scored six goals and dished out two assists to lead the Outlaws. Rexford commented that every goal that Fitzke scored was very athletic and a great shot. Saunders, Akaka, Jay Smoot and Sebastian Boehm also scored for Sisters.

"The guys had to play with their brains instead of their hearts," said Rexford. "They walked around the wall instead of running through it."

Rexford was very pleased with his team's attitude and performance and is looking forward to a great season ahead.

"They've bought into the team concept from top to bottom," said Rexford. "They're doing the little things right when no one is looking, and they're holding each other accountable. We've got a week off for spring break, and when we come back on Monday they'll be ready. They're not part-time Outlaws; they're Outlaws all the time."

Next up for the Outlaws is a home game against Summit on Wednesday, April 6.