Lady Outlaws notch league shut out

The Lady Outlaws soccer team recorded two shutouts this past week. Sisters beat the Huskies at Sweet Home 4-0 on Tuesday, October 4, and at home two days later defeated Elmira 7-0. The squad has blanked their opponent four times this season.

In Tuesday's matchup, the Outlaws persevered through cold weather conditions and a sloppy, wet field.

Jodie Reoch got Sisters' scoring started in the 19th minute when she put the ball in the net on a free kick. Eighteen minutes later, Haley Carlson made a great pass to Natalie Ambrose, who ran up onto the ball, went one- on-one with the keeper and peppered the ball to the left of the keeper into the back of the net for the score.

Sisters entered the half with a 2-0 lead.

Freshman Liz Stewart scored an unassisted goal for the Outlaws in the 68th minute to push them to a 3-0 advantage. Stewart struck the ball hard and sent it at hip height to the right of the keeper, who didn't have a chance for the save.

Michelle Young scored on a penalty kick in the last two minutes of the game to seal the Outlaws' win.

Coach Nik Goertzen named Liz Stewart as the Outlaws' Player of the Game.

"Liz played great today," said Goertzen. "She made good passes, was aggressive, held her own and did what she was supposed to."

Goertzen was pleased with his team's effort.

"The weather was nasty but the kids hung in there," said Goertzen. "They played hard and did what they needed to do. I'm happy with the results."

Two days later, the Outlaws topped the Falcons 7-0.

Sisters jumped out quick with a goal from Reoch just two minutes into the contest. Ambrose passed the ball over to Reoch, who took a shot that hit the keeper's elbow and then trickled in for the goal.

Over the next 25 minutes, Ambrose put in three consecutive goals for the Outlaws to record a hat trick. Natalie's first goal was a bullet shot shoulder high from 14 yards out off a Haley Carlson assist. Just minutes later Ambrose knocked one straight into the middle of the net. Her third goal was another rocket shot from 16 yards out and the keeper couldn't even come close. Reoch was credited with two assists.

Goertzen said, "Natalie hit fantastic shots. They were full on and she hit them perfectly. Natalie and Jodie (Reoch) are our one-two punch. They are really starting to gel and come together."

Sisters held a 4-0 advantage at the half.

Twelve minutes into the second half Michelle Young scored an unassisted goal right into the center of the net from 12 yards out. Young scored again seven minutes later. The ball ricocheted off an Elmira defender and came back to Young, who took the ball into the goal to put the Outlaws up 6-0.

Midway through the half, freshman Mary Jane Murphy scored an unassisted goal. A shot by Haley Carlson was deflected by the keeper and the ball came back to Murphy, who buried the ball into the back of the net.

Natalie Ambrose led the Outlaws' offense with three goals for a hat trick and Jodie Reoch recorded three assists in the game.

"We got positive energy from Jodie's (Reoch) goal right at the start," said Ambrose. "It was so motivating and from there my goals came easily with great support from my teammates."

Ambrose added, "I thought today's game showed a lot on how we're developing this season. And I believe there are great things still to come."

Coach Nik Goertzen told The Nugget that his team is playing good soccer but is capable of playing even better.

The Outlaws improved their league record to 5-0 and are 6-1-1 overall. Sisters was to kick off the second round of league play at home against Junction City on Tuesday, October 11, and the following week, Tuesday, October 18, the team will travel to Cottage Grove.