Boys soccer clinches league title

The boys soccer team clinched the league title when they defeated the Tigers 1-0 at Junction City (JC) on Tuesday, October 16. Two days later the Outlaws shut out Cottage Grove (CG) 5-0 at home to remain undefeated in league with a perfect 7-0 record.

In Tuesday's game at Junction City, Keenan O'Hern scored Sisters' goal in the ninth minute of play. Evan Rickards assisted O'Hern on a solid low cross. Keenan took the pass in the air and with the top of his cleat kicked the ball into the left corner of the goal to give Sisters a

1-0 lead.

The Tigers had three shots on goal and keeper Drew Corrigan was there for the saves. Sisters finished with 26 shots on goal compared to the Tigers, who recorded three. The Outlaws had several great opportunities to score but unfortunately the shots hit the posts or were just wide of the goal.

Coach Rob Jensen said, "We had some great shots at the goal but their keeper was there and made some great saves."

Rickards and O'Hern both were thrilled with the victory and the realization the team had secured the No. 1 spot in league.

"Junction City fought really hard and we were all tired and exhausted at the end of the game," said Rickards. "We were super excited with the win and now our goal is a state championship. But even if we don't get it I won't be disappointed. It's just been great to play with such a special group of guys."

O'Hern said, "The win was so exciting and very emotional. We're excited to go on to the playoffs but we have a lot of work ahead of us. We need to work on moving the ball around the field more and we need to spend a lot of effort and time working on our ball skills and getting better at the game."

Sisters dominated play in Thursday's game against Cottage Grove and shut out the visiting Lions 5-0. The Outlaws launched 38 shots on goal while CG was only able to record two.

Evan Rickards tallied Sisters' first two goals of the contest to push the Outlaws to a 2-0 lead. Rickards scored his first goal in the 24th minute of play. Ryan Pollard assisted Rickards with an amazing opposite field cross from left to right and Rickards finished with a goal into the left corner of the net. Two minutes later Rickards sent in his second goal thanks to a Jadon Bachtold assist.

Sisters held on to their 2-0 lead as they entered the half.

Twenty minutes into the second half Pollard crossed a ball right to Jake McAllister's head for a beautiful header goal.

At the 67-minute mark Connor Schaab followed up a hard shot for a goal on the left side. Five minutes later Gabe Rietmann wrapped up Sisters' scoring when he drove in a shot from the right side into the left side of the net off a McAllister assist. The Outlaws recorded the shutout and notched their seventh straight league win.

"We had a very good second half," said Jensen. "Ryan (Pollard) played exceptionally well and had some great shots and passes that set up scoring opportunities for us. We are continuing to get better. Cottage Grove did a better job containing players and eliminating space in the second half."

The Outlaws will wrap up league play at Sweet Home on Wednesday, October 24.