Outlaws chosen for Olympic Development Program

Two of Sisters High School's standout soccer players, Molly Boyle and Michaela Miller, will have the opportunity to play with the most elite players in the state in the Olympic Development Program (ODP).

In ODP, players train and play against the best players in their age group. Boyle played for ODP in both seventh and eight grades and is excited for a chance to play on the prestigious team again.

Boyle (a junior) and Miller (a sophomore) went through a weekend tryout just before the start of the school year. The girls had one hour of technical training on Saturday and then played short soccer games with other girls in their age group for an additional three hours. On Sunday, four hours were devoted to games where players were watched and evaluated by ODP coaches. Players were evaluated on technique, tactics, fitness and athletic ability and attitude.

The duo knew within two days that they'd both made the cut. Boyle and Miller received schedules this past week for trainings that will be held in Salem. Players are encouraged to attend the select weekend trainings unless they have conflicts with their high school game schedule.

"Each time you train you are actually trying out again in hopes you are chosen to play in the next tournament," said Boyle. "You are constantly competing for a spot in the next tournament."

One of the first tournaments ODP players will attend is the Friendship Cup in Beaverton, one of the top ODP tournaments in the country.

"They haven't told us yet what other tournament we'll be playing in, but whatever they choose will be really high caliber ones," said Boyle.

Toward the end of the year ODP coaches will choose top players who will advance and compete on a regional team, and from there top players from regionals will advance and play on the national team.

Boyle told The Nugget that when a player makes the national team they usually start to get looked at by professional teams as well as the Women's National Team.

Both girls agreed that to play on a regional or national team would be an incredible experience.

"It would be amazing to play on the regional or national team but the competition is really fierce," said Boyle. "In our state it is hard to stand out, so to get to a nationals team you have to have something really, really special."

Miller said, "I would love to play on a regional team and I feel that's slightly attainable. But the national team is so prestigious, and being chosen for that is rare but would be such an honor."

Molly and Michaela both are excited they will be able to play and train with some of the top soccer players in the state.

"It's really nice to play at such a high level of soccer," said Boyle. "Many of the girls I'll be playing with have already played on the national team. It also creates a lot of opportunity to be seen by college coaches."

Sisters High School Coach Audrey Tehan told The Nugget that making the ODP team is no easy feat.

"Making the ODP team says so much about Molly and Michaela," said Tehan.

"It is a brutal tryout, with back-to-back games of the most talented soccer players and athletes in Oregon.

You have to be mentally and physically strong, as you are really competing as an individual throughout the scrimmages, with girls you don't know.

It's a challenging situation to step into.

The OPD tryouts were some of the most grueling, yet satisfying memories I have of playing soccer.

I am excited for them to have the chance to play at this high level.

It really is a huge step up in competitiveness and demands a lot of your skill and knowledge of the game.

Molly and Michaela are serious about improving and playing at the highest level they can, and playing on the ODP team is exactly what they need to help take them to the next level."