Girls soccer squad wins two

The girls soccer team started their week with an 11-0 shutout over Redmond and two days later defeated the Hornets at Henley 3-2.

Natalie Ambrose and Emily Corrigan each scored four goals to lead the Lady Outlaws to their big win over the Panthers in Thursday's match. Sisters jumped out quick and scored in the first minute of play. Ambrose knocked it in off a cross from the right side from Dani Rudinsky.

Twenty minutes later, Hannah Ceciliani scored as she turned the ball in the box and drove the ball into the upper left corner of the net.

Ambrose scored the Outlaws' next two goals and the Outlaws took a 4-0 lead. Natalie headed the ball in off a cross from Rudinsky and then scored off a cross from Molly Boyle.

Sisters tacked on three more goals to close out the first half. Emily Corrigan scored off a header from Ambrose, Cassandra Arruda scored an unassisted goal as she followed a shot which was deflected off the cross bar, and Haley Carlson finished up the first half scoring when she beat three defenders. Carlson dribbled from the outside into the box and drove the ball into the lower right corner of the goal.

The Outlaws had more than 30 shots on goal in the first half and seven went in to give Sisters a 7-0 half-time advantage.

Ambrose scored her fourth goal early in the second half on a volley off a cross from Carlson, and then Corrigan followed with three consecutive goals. Corrigan dribbled into the box and scored a low shot in the left center of the box for an unassisted goal, scored off a cross from Rudinsky and then wrapped up Sisters' scoring frenzy when she scored off a cross from Arruda.

Coach Audrey Tehan was impressed with Liz Stewart's leadership from the back of the field.

"Liz has the ability to get everyone up into the attack," said Tehan. "It is crucial our defense pushes up and go way into our attacking half. This allows us to get so many more numbers around the goal and completely flood the other team with offensive players."

Tehan also noted Corrigan, Ambrose, Ceciliani, Rudinsky and Kristen Sanders, who all had some amazing offensive plays and made great give and goes to break up the defense.

"The girls again showed great skill as they moved the ball around the field, stayed spread out and attacked from all directions," stated Tehan. "We were able to attack in many different places across the field, which is crucial in beating stronger opponents."

Two days later the Outlaws prevailed 3-2 at Henley in a much more challenging contest.

Henley is ranked in the top 10 in the state, and the Outlaws knew they would have to battle hard against the tough Hornet squad.

In the first four minutes Sisters had a penalty kick called against them due to a hard tackle near the goal. Henley's kick for the PK was good and the Hornets went up 1-0.

The game went back and forth between the Outlaws' defensive and offensive half, and at the 22-minute mark Ambrose won the ball after it was crossed to the 18-yard box by Rudinsky. Natalie beat a player and then drove the ball to the lower left corner. The ball bounced into the goal off the inside of the post and the game was tied up 1-1.

Teams entered the half with the score even at 1-1

Early in the second half Henley scored the go-ahead goal and went up 2-1. The Hornets were able to get behind the Outlaws' defense and skirted the ball around Ceciliani as she came out to challenge the player.

"Hannah did exactly what she was supposed to do in that situation," stated Tehan. "Henley just did a great job of breaking up our defensive line and executed on one of their six total scoring opportunities.

Sisters made some position adjustments and continued to play strong against a Hornet squad who was fighting hard for the win.

Anna Ortega moved back to outside defense, and Molly Boyle went back in after sitting out for a while due to an injury. With Boyle back at center defense, Liz Stewart was able to step up into the midfield.

"Our defensive line really stepped up at this point," said Tehan. "Anna (Ortega), Claire (Henson) and Molly (Boyle) learned to play together quickly and kept feeding the ball up the field."

In the 58th minute, Haley Carlson sent a beautiful long cross in the left field. Cassandra Arruda beat a player and got off a quick shot with very little space. The shot was from outside the 18-yard box and sailed over the keeper's head into the upper right corner of the net and tied the game 2-2.

The Outlaws kept pushing up the field and got lucky when one of Henley's shots hit the cross bar with just 10 minutes left in the game.

With two minutes left on the clock the Outlaws scored and took the lead. Stewart found Ambrose on the sideline and Natalie beat four players as she flew down the left side of the 18-yard box all the way to the end line, before laying a perfect ball for Stewart. Liz placed the ball into the left corner of the box for the goal.

"Liz and Natalie played so well together knowing where each other were going and being in the right places on the field," said Tehan. "It was a beautiful combination play you see at the collegiate level."

The Outlaws held off the Hornets for the remainder of the contest and posted the win.

"This game really showed the character of the team," said Tehan. "They did not give up until the very last minute of play. They were able to regain control of the game even when we were behind."

The Lady Outlaws will play at home on Thursday, September 19, against Elmira. The game is set to start at 4:30 p.m. The following Tuesday the Outlaws will play at home against Junction City.