Small and Reoch are players of the year

Outstanding athletic plays, incredible shots for goals and amazing saves in the box earned keeper Sara Small and midfielder Jodie Reoch the honor of being named Sky-Em co-Players of the Year.

Small led the Outlaws squad on defense this year at the keeper position. Sara had 58 saves on the season and only allowed eight goals. Coach Nik Goertzen commended Sara for her great attitude and work ethic.

Reoch anchored the midfield for the Outlaws and was the second-leading scorer on the team. Reoch has played at the varsity level for the past three years.

"Jodie is the second-fastest girl on our team and also led the team in unassisted goals," said Goertzen.

Amity Calvin and Natalie Ambrose were both first-team all-league picks. Ambrose played at center midfield and at forward and led the team in scoring. Calvin played both defense and midfield and led the team in 50/50 wins.

"Natalie has a great attitude and a great work ethic and is the fastest girl on our team," stated Goertzen. "Amity has an unbelievable work ethic, a great attitude and is very inspirational."

Second-team selections were Michelle Young at sweeper and Zoanne McAllister at midfield.

Young, a four-year varsity player, led the team in tackles, was a vocal leader on defense and a team captain. McAllister was a four-year starter for the Outlaws and their marking specialist. Zoanne played hard and aggressive throughout the season.

Freshmen Molly Boyle and Trinity Chick were honorable mention. Boyle was a great addition to the Outlaws' defense, and Chick helped out the team at midfield. Both Boyle and Chick earned a starting role by the end of the season.

The Outlaws were undefeated in league (10-0) for the second year in a row. They hold a 21-game winning streak in league, which is the best ever for a Sky-Em team. They also scored the most points of any league team (84) for the second consecutive year and had the least goals scored against them (one), which is a league record.

In regards to the teams' play at the state level Goertzen said, "Our identity is that we play team soccer. We were known as being a well-conditioned and fit team from a small town with home-grown girls," said Goertzen. "We were the smallest school in the 2011 playoffs for the second year in a row."

Goertzen added, "I am very thankful for my seniors (Sara Small, Shennen Chick, Lauryn Chauncey, Michelle Young, Amity Calvin, Zoanne McAllister, Marisa Haynes, Jodie Reoch and Sabrina Dolson) who put in a tremendous amount of extra time, energy, and dedication into making the Sisters High School soccer program one of the premier teams in the state, with a state's best mark of 57-13-21. We've appeared three straight years in the state semi-finals, and two straight years in the championship game with a 4A state playoff record of 13-4. I am very blessed to have coached each and every one of them."

In addition to eight players earning all-league recognition, Coach Goertzen was voted Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

"It's a special honor for me personally," said Goertzen. "Since I came to Sisters five years ago, the girls' soccer program has become one of the premier programs in the state at the 4A level. We have reached higher levels of success each season and competed at a very high level. I coach with a lot of passion and hold the interests of the team to a very high standard. The kids are a reflection of me, and they help me to be the coach that I am."