Lacrosse beats Summit to claim title

The boys lacrosse team overcame Summit on Wednesday, May 11, to earn a 7-4 win - and the league title.

"There was a lot at stake with this game," said Coach Bill Rexford. "If we won we'd take first in league but if we lost we'd drop to third place and would have had to have a play-in game to get to the playoffs."

Sisters held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. Beau Fitzke hit a high rocket shot for the Outlaws' first goal of the night and Jacob Akaka knocked one into the top left corner of the net for Sisters' second goal.

Coach Rexford told The Nugget that the Storm is bigger, stronger, and faster than Sisters, but the Outlaws were even-keeled and played a very consistent game.

"Summit has 28 kids on their team and we have 14," said Rexford. "They just kept sending wave after wave of players after us."

At the half the score was tied 2-2. The Outlaws were shut down offensively and played defense the entire second quarter.

Sisters scored five goals in the second half to get the win.

Scott Nelson scored on a good shot from the restraining line approximately 15 yards out.

Ryan Long scored a huge goal for Sisters late in the game. Long made a great catch and took a well-placed and timed shot on the crease that caught the goalie unaware and put the Outlaws up 7-4 to stay.

"Ryan got creamed on that shot, and his arms and legs were everywhere," said Rexford. "But the shot was good."

Rexford stated that the real story of the game was goalie Brennan Layne.

"Brennan had his most outstanding performance of his Outlaw career," said Rexford. "Summit should have been ahead by many goals, but when they went one-on-one with Brennan he made incredible saves and then outlet passes to breaking midfielders. One of these fast-break opportunities Ryan (Long) finished. We kept hammering at the rock and it finally broke. When Ryan got that goal it energized us and took the wind out of Summit."

Fitske, Akaka, and Nelson each scored two goals for the Outlaws and Long contributed one.

The Outlaws headed to Burns on the weekend for league playoffs. Saturdays' games were cancelled due to lightning and rain. Since all four scheduled games had to be played on Sunday, May 15, all games were shortened.

Sisters lost 5-4 to Bend in their first game in a very good, hard-fought battle. The Outlaws went up early in the game and took a 3-0 lead. Sisters coasted a bit and Bend took advantage of the opportunities and went up 4-3. The Outlaws dug in and scored another goal, but time ran out on the clock and Bend recorded the victory.

The Outlaws went on to beat Harney, to whom they'd lost earlier in the season. Sisters did not want to play away in the first round of playoffs and they put forth a great effort to notch the 15-3 win.

Rexford was pleased that Christ Smoot, who was injured over spring break, was able to play in the game against Harney.

Sisters play against Canby in the first round of state playoffs at home on Wednesday, May 18.