Boys lacrosse faces stiff competition

The boys lacrosse team lost to two tough competitors this past week. The Outlaws lost 13-3 to Bend High on Tuesday, April 23, and two days later lost 8-7 to West Salem at home in Sisters.

Bend came out blazing in Tuesday's matchup and Sisters couldn't keep up. Before the Outlaws knew what hit them, they found themselves down 4-0 at the close of the first quarter.

All four of the Lava Bears' goals came off transition. Sisters did hold them when they played six-vs.-six, but because they were unable to clear the ball the Outlaws played defense for the majority of the contest.

Sisters did manage a little run, and in the second quarter scored two goals, one from Scott Nelson and the other from Jens Stadeli, and for a moment it looked like the Outlaws were back in the game.

The second half started and Sisters gave up another quick goal to Bend on transition. Mitch Keranen answered and closed the gap to 5-3, but that was it for the Outlaws' offense. Bend scored eight additional goals and recorded the win.

Coach Bill Rexford said, "The boys played hard, and some stats tell some more of the story. We had 36 groundballs to Bend's 43, so we were putting forth the effort, but Bend out-shot us 36 to 11, and it is going to be tough to beat anyone unless we shoot more. Bend also dominated the faceoffs, winning 16 of 20. Bend is good, and it looks like we may see them in league playoffs."

Sisters tried to rectify some of their shortcomings in their game against West Salem on Thursday.

The Titans' strong team play gave the Outlaws' defense trouble.

"We were late on our slides at key moments, and West Salem capitalized," said Rexford.

The Outlaws dominated every category but the winning score. Sisters out-ground-balled the Titans 37 to 23, had possession 72 percent of the time and out-shot them 43-13, which still wasn't enough to get the win.

"This game is a reminder that the only stat that matters is the scoreboard," Rexford noted.

Sisters is scheduled to play at Harney on Friday, May 3.