Girls lacrosse leads with 5-0 record

The Lady Outlaws started their season with an outstanding 14-1 victory in Roseburg on March 22 and then defeated Sheldon 12-9 on April 9. Sisters defeated Corvallis 11-8 on Thursday, April 18, and a day later posted a 13-6 victory over Thurston and a 13-5 victory over Corvallis at home in Sisters.

Sisters played a great game against Roseburg to start their season. The Outlaws' defense stopped the Indians and held them to only six shots on goal the entire game.

Maison Morgan (junior) led the team in scoring with three goals in the first half and one goal in the second half which came on a penalty shot. Sophomores Phoebe Smoot and Olivia Narro each contributed a goal and recorded two assists. Langley Vogt (sophomore) scored three goals and freshman Tara Greaney, who played offense for the first time, scored two goals, in the first half. Senior Harley Bowler rounded out the offensive play with three goals.

Goalie Nikki Olsen did a great job of reading the offense and stopped all shots but one.

"Breanna Perry led our offense; and a freshman contingent of Taylor Schneider, McKenzie Hendrickson, Sierra Hummel and Marissa Young kept the Indians from getting near the goal," stated Coach Michele Hammer.

Sisters started out slow in their matchup against Sheldon on April 10. At the 10-minute mark the Irish were on top 5-1. The Outlaws buckled down, quickly turned the game around and earned the win.

"It was a tough game," said Hammer. "Our regular goalie (Olsen) was out with a shoulder injury, and freshman Marissa Young stepped in as goalie for the first time. She did an amazing job and didn't get flustered. By the end of the game she was doing a great job of reading the offensive player."

Morgan scored five goals for the Outlaws but then got into foul trouble and had to sit out for a two-minute penalty. Vogt, Smoot, and Bowler each scored two goals, and Jenny O'Connor added a goal on a penalty shot in the second half.

"Even though we played with injuries and players in new positions, they played as a team and brought it all home," said Hammer.

Morgan and Bowler each scored four goals in Sisters' win over Corvallis on Thursday, April 18.

"Maison was able to control on the draw 50 percent of all draws and Harley did a great job moving the ball down to the shooting arc," said Hammer.

Smoot scored three goals from the attack position and dished out assists to both Morgan and Bowler.

Sisters' defense played well and adjusted to the Spartans' changing defensive strategies. Goalie Nikki Olsen, who was just back from a shoulder injury, recorded eight saves.

A day later the Outlaws wrapped up their week with home games against Thurston and Corvallis.

Thurston struggled to field a team, so the Outlaws played two players down. Hammer played her freshmen and rookies for the majority of the contest.

Smoot and Madelyn Zadow both scored two goals in the game. Vogt, at center, scored three goals; and O'Connor and Greaney added one goal each. Nikki Olson, who usually plays in the box, played at mid-defensive wing and scored her first career goal.

Team captains Morgan and Bowler came in for the last 10 minutes of the game. Maison scored one goal and Bowler scored twice.

Freshman Marissa Young, in her second game as goalie, recorded three saves.

Sisters did everything right in their matchup against Corvallis. The Outlaws' strong defense frustrated the Spartans and kept them from getting many shots on goal. The shots they were able to get off were stopped by Nikki Olson, who recorded nine saves in the contest.

Scoring was spread out among several players. Morgan tallied eight goals, Smoot and Vogt each scored two, and Bowler contributed one goal and two assists. Zadow also had two assists in the game.

"It's been a great season so far," said Hammer. "We are finally seeing the results of the middle school feeder programs at the high school. Even though we have seven freshmen on the team they are a very talented group!

The Outlaws are 5-0 in the South League of the Oregon Girls Lacrosse Association and 9-1 overall. Maison Morgan currently leads the league in goals scored on the season (25).

Sisters was to face Sheldon at home on Wednesday, April 24, and Roseburg at home on Saturday, April 27.