Outlaws undefeated on soccer field

The boys soccer team notched two big wins to wrap up league play and finish with a perfect 10-0 record. Sisters beat La Pine in a 13-0 landslide at home on Monday, October 21, and two days later posted a 6-1 victory at home over Sweet Home (SH).

The Outlaws jumped out quick and scored five goals in the first 13 minutes in their match-up against La Pine on Monday. Jake McAllister scored a hat trick and Colton Mannhalter and Evan Rickards both scored a goal.

Coach Rob Jensen called off the dogs and mixed up the line-up, and put several different players in at goalie.

Sisters tacked on three more goals before the half. Jadon Bachtold broke away for an easy one-on-one against the keeper to score, Keenan O' Hern powered a shot past the keeper, and Billy Biggers cut through a defender and turned to the inside to score a nice shot and bring the Outlaws to an 8-0 lead at halftime.

Ben Pope scored his first varsity goal of the season at the 44-minute mark. Casey Lane's shot was deflected and Pope followed and finished it into the goal. Five minutes later, Bachtold crossed the ball to Ben Larson for a volley goal.

Lane followed with back-to-back goals, his first varsity goals of the season, thanks to assists from Rickards. Ron Kilian scored Sisters' final goal off a header off a Rickards assist.

Thirteen players posted stats in the game.

Jensen said, "Overall, we came out with good energy and connected on some quick passes. We played the ball better and didn't allow La Pine to slow us down.

"Casey Lane was a stud with two goals, and I really enjoyed watching Evan (Rickards) assist the ball to other players," added Jensen. "Colton (Mannhalter) owned the goal and didn't allow shots to come anywhere near him. What else can I say? The whole team played like studs."

Two days later, the Outlaws honored their eight seniors and beat the Huskies 6-1.

Sisters scored three goals in the first fifteen minutes of play. McAllister got the Outlaws on the scoreboard 10 minutes into the game when he stole a poor pass from SH and dribbled it in for a one-on-one score against the keeper. Two minutes later, Mannhalter assisted McAllister for another open goal versus the keeper. Colton dribbled through the entire SH defense and scored at the 15-minute mark to give Sisters a 3-0 lead, which held until the half.

The Outlaws tacked on three additional goals in the second half.

Bachtold dribbled past two defenders and knocked the ball into the left side of the net to score just three minutes into the second half. One minute later, McAllister received a pass from Mannhalter in the middle of the field and ripped a shot to the upper left corner for the goal. Midway through the half, O'Hern made a nice chip shot to Trent Marks, who flicked the ball with his head to a streaking Rickards, who scored a goal on the right side.

The Huskies scored their lone goal with one minute left on the clock due to a lack of intensity by the Outlaws. SH took a 35-yard shot that sailed past he keeper.

Jensen said, "We had good ball movement and the seniors stepped up on senior night. I was impressed by the play of Trent (Marks) and Billy (Biggers) as they moved the ball well and played with good intensity."

Eight seniors were honored for their contributions to the team, and Jensen had words of praise for all of them, including Trent Marks, Ron Kilian, Keenan O'Hern, Jardon Weems, Jake McAllister, Evan Rickards, Porter Ford and Ben Pope.

Marks is a two-year varsity player and has scored two goals and recorded two assists to date. Jensen told The Nugget that Marks had one of the best headers he's ever seen.

"Trent is a fantastic human who always puts the team above himself," said Jensen. "I see him as a role model for athletic behavior."

Kilian is a foreign exchange student from Germany who has fit seamlessly with the team. He has become a tenacious defender for the Outlaws and also contributes on the offensive end. This year he scored two goals and recorded five assists.

Ford is a first-year varsity player who, according to Jensen, has worked tirelessly to improve his skills and in doing so has made everyone around him better.

"Porter is quiet, humble and reserved, which I respect tremendously," said Jensen. "Porter leads by example. Porter has made us all think he was hiding secret abilities when he scored one of the most perfect volleys I have seen for his first volley goal."

Pope, in his first varsity year, has seen time at both keeper and on the field. Most of his time is split with O'Hern in the goal. Jensen stated that Pope's positive nature is contagious and he is a tireless worker who always strives to become better.

O'Hern has played varsity for two years. Last season he played in the field and this year he has also played in the goal. He's scored two goals and recorded three assists in limited time in the field. He has also recorded 10 shut-outs this season and has only been scored on twice.

"Keenan is one of our best field players and selflessly assumed the role of keeper," said Jensen. "He is one of the best all-around players in the league and is a captain of our team."

Weems is also a two-year varsity player and has been a rock for the Outlaws both on and off the field. Jardon has scored two goals and recorded two assists from defense this season. One of his goals was a 40-yard laser that Jensen termed unbelievable. Jensen stated that Jardon is a servant to the team, a leader and captain and a very valuable defender.

McAllister, a four-year varsity starter and one of the Outlaws' captains, just might be the best player in the state. Jake has 29 goals and six assists under his belt and averages a hat trick nearly every game, often before halftime. He has been a first-year all-league pick and Player of the Year the last two years.

Jensen said, "Jake's entire career has been a highlight and I can't begin to give just one."

Rickards rounds out the senior players. Evan is a four-year varsity player and has started at right midfield every year. He was a first-team all-league pick last year and a second-team all-state selection. Jensen stated that Rickards is a great captain and a great leader on the Outlaws' team.

In preparation for playoffs, the Outlaws added a game to their schedule. Sisters played against the Summit Storm in an endowment game at home in Sisters on Friday, October 25.

Sisters lost the contest 2-0, but it was a game filled with playoff intensity and opportunities. Keenan O' Hern did a great job in the goal for the Outlaws and recorded 14 saves. Summit capitalized on a couple of mental errors in the second half to score their two goals.

The Outlaws played without Justin Harrer and Evan Rickards due to injuries and prior commitments, but both will be back for playoffs.

Sisters will host the first round of the state playoffs on Tuesday, November 5. Their opponent is yet to be decided.