Outlaws' Reoch scores hat trick in shutout soccer victory

The Lady Outlaws soccer team played their best game of the year to earn a decisive 6-0 shutout victory at home against Cottage Grove (CG) on September 27. Two days later, Sisters recorded an 8-0 victory over La Pine.

Sisters jumped out early in their game against CG and scored their first goal at the three-minute mark. Natalie Ambrose passed the ball over to Jodie Reoch, who streaked down the left side of the field, into the middle, and blasted the ball up and over the keeper's head from 14 yards out for the goal. The keeper didn't have a chance for the save, and Sisters went up 1-0.

Five minutes later, Reoch scored an unassisted goal on a breakaway. Jodie sent a bullet shot shin-level to the right of the keeper, and the Outlaws took a 2-0 lead. Sisters scored again at the 16-minute mark. Reoch passed the ball over to the middle to freshman Liz Stewart, who corralled the ball and shot it past the keeper to the inside far right post.

The Outlaws' third goal created a definite shift in the game and took the wind out of the Lions' sails.

Sisters' fourth goal came eight minutes later. Reoch recorded another assist when she passed the ball to Haley Carlson, who kicked it up and over the keeper from 20 yards out for her first goal of the year.

At the half Sisters held Cottage Grove scoreless at 4-0.

Coach Nik Goertzen was elated with his team's first-half performance.

"The girls' communication and passing was unbelievable," said Goertzen. "They were so focused and just relentless. They gave them (CG) nothing. I've been waiting for them to play like this."

Sisters tallied another goal in the 52nd minute. Reoch scored her third goal for a hat trick from 18 yards out on an unassisted shot that went over the goalie's head and pushed Sisters to a 5-0 advantage.

The Outlaws tacked on their sixth and final goal in the 76 minute of the game. Freshman Cassandra (Cass) Arruda sent a bullet shot from 26 yards out up and over the keeper's head for the goal to secure the win.

Sisters out shot the Lions 17-4 in the first half and 16-3 in the second.

"We got contributions from everybody," said Goertzen. "This was an absolute feel-good win. We wanted this one bad and it showed.

Reoch led the offense with a hat trick and two assists.

"Jodie played absolutely beautiful," said Goertzen. "She was right on."

Two days later, Sisters logged an 8-0 shutout over La Pine.

Natalie Ambrose scored an unassisted goal in the seventh minute to get the Outlaws started. Two minutes later Ambrose passed the ball to Haley Carlson, who scored to put Sisters up 2-0.

Jodie Reoch tallied Sisters' third goal in the 11th minute off an Ambrose assist and three minutes later Ambrose scored off a pass from Marisa Haynes to push the Outlaws to a 4-0 lead.

Carlson and Ambrose both knocked in goals just before the half to give Sisters a 6-0 advantage.

The Outlaws got goals from Emily Corrigan and Michelle Young in the second half to secure the win.

Sisters played possession ball for the final 27 minutes of the game and held the score in check.

After the game, both the referees and La Pine parents complimented Goertzen and his team.

"They thanked us for controlling the game," said Goertzen. "They said we played in a manner that showed great sportsmanship and told us we were a class act."

Goertzen added, "We played really good today and the girls played with a lot of positive energy. Our passes and communication were both good. At the half we moved our offense to defense and our defense to offense to challenge players in a different manner."

Sisters will play at home against Elmira on Thursday, October 6, and the following Tuesday, October 11, they will play at home against Junction City.

The Outlaws improved their league record to 3-0 and are 4-1-1 overall.