Outlaws win sudden-death nail-biter

The boys soccer team beat North Marion (NM) in sudden death in an action-packed first-round state playoff game at home on Tuesday, November 5. Fans hugged the sidelines and cheered on the Outlaws in a contest that was a nail-biter to the very end.

Jake McAllister got the Outlaws on the scoreboard at the 20-minute mark. McAllister beat a pack of Husky defenders for a close-range goal past the keeper off the right side.

Coach Rob Jensen said that McAllister's goal was a pretty impressive display of talent and athleticism.

North Marion caught the Outlaws off guard and responded with a long goal five minutes later to tie it up at 1-1. At the half the score was still deadlocked at 1-1.

The second half was a battle of NM possession and Sisters' counter-attack. Both teams had scoring opportunities that were saved by the keepers who made big defensive stops.

At one point McAllister broke away from the defense on the right side for a one-on-one with the keeper. The NM keeper made a brilliant save to keep the score at 1-1.

Keenan O'Hern played fantastic and made several key saves in the goal.

Jensen told The Nugget that the Outlaws did a good job executing their game-plan and adjusted some weaknesses at half-time which limited the Huskies' scoring opportunities.

"NM is a really good team, and they played cohesively," stated Jensen. "The end stats for both teams were nearly identical, with both keepers recording seven saves and both teams having seven shots on goal."

Teams continued to battle until the whistle blew and brought regulation play to an end.

After two tough 10-minute overtime periods the game went to a PK shootout.

NM started out and made the first goal. Gabe Willitts stepped up for the Outlaws and made the shot as well. NM made their second shot and Keenan O'Hern matched it. O'Hern saved the third shot and Jardon Weems knocked in his shot to put the Outlaws up by one. NM made their next shot and then their keeper made a big save on Evan Rickards' shot. NM made their final shot and it was up to McAllister to keep the Outlaws alive.

Fans crowded the sidelines and stood with bated breath as McAllister stepped up to the ball. The crowd was not disappointed as Jake came through and drove it into the back of the net.

McAllister said, "I was the last shooter and it was super scary for me because I knew if I missed we'd lose. As I stepped up for my kick all I could hear was their team saying, "He's going to miss.' I knew I had to block that out and focus on taking the shot. The shot didn't exactly go where I wanted it to but it had enough power to go in. After it went in it was complete relief."

Keeper O'Hern felt pressure the entire game and even more during the PK shots.

"As keeper it feels like the whole game is on you," said O'Hern. "Your only focus is reading the man and keeping your eye on the ball."

The second five players shoot a shot-for-shot sudden death and if one player misses and the other makes it the game is over.

NM's player cracked under pressure and sent a grounder to the far left of the goal. Colton Mannhalter knocked in his shot and the game was over.

Mannhalter said, "Stepping up for the shot was very nerve-wracking. The anticipation was killing me. I knew if I made it we'd win. I stepped up, put the ball down and took a step back. Then everything went blank. All I remember is my team rushing at me congratulating me."

Justin Harrer said, "After we won it was just a huge relief. Our defense, Gabe (Willitts), Jardon (Weems), Casey (Lane) and me felt huge pressure during the game, so to pull through with the win we could finally relax and take a deep breath."

Four days later, the Outlaws traveled to Milton-Freewater and faced the McLoughlin (Mac High) Pioneers. It was an intense battle that went to the ninth person in the PK shoot-out, but in the end the Outlaws emerged victorious. Sisters had lots of support from their fans which included half of the girls soccer team.

The Pioneers scored the first goal of the game at the 39-minute mark and went up 1-0 at the half.

Sisters tied the game up in the 58th minute. Jake volleyed the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and drove it into the upper right-hand corner with incredible top spin.

In the 75th minute the Pioneers scored on a PK and went up 2-1. The Outlaws managed to get a PK on a handball in the box three minutes later and McAllister made good on the shot to even the score at 2-2.

At the end of regulation the score remained 2-2.

Mac High scored in the seventh minute of the first 10 minute overtime. The Outlaws had a free kick from 40 yards out in stoppage of the first overtime and tied it back up at 3-3. Justin Harrer was credited with the goal.

After a scoreless second overtime the game went to a PK shootout which was very intense. Mac High put in their first shot and Gabe Willitts scored to tie it at 1-1. The Pioneers put in their second shot, Keenan O'Hern's shot was blocked and Mac High took a 2-1 advantage. O'Hern responded and saved the next two PKs. Rickards and Weems both made their shots and the Outlaws regained the lead at 3-2. Mac High's final shooter made their shot, which brought the tally to three PKs each.

Jake McAllister took Sisters' fifth shot, which hit the side bar on the right side and went out of bounds. The score remained tied at 3-3 and the game went to sudden death.

Sisters got the coin flip in sudden death and the next five players readied to take their shots. Colton Mannhalter made good on Sisters' sixth PK. Mac High's kick went in and again the score was tied at one PK each. Jadon Bachtold and Billy Biggers both made their shots, as did Mac High, and the score was even at 3-3.

Trent Marks came in off the bench as Sisters' ninth shooter, and with coolness and confidence made the shot. The Pioneers' ninth shooter kicked the ball over the top and the Outlaws recorded the win.

Marks said, "Before I took the shot I was a nervous wreck. I only played 30 seconds the entire game and I didn't feel ready. Coach told me he had confidence in me and told me to be calm and focus on the shot. It was so surreal. It took me a second to comprehend the ball had actually gone into the

goal."

Jensen could not have been more proud of his team and their valiant effort.

"We were down by a goal three times, and the boys battled back," said Jensen. "We won from our first man to our 22nd man. The guys all played confidently, played to win and kept battling back. They never hung their heads and just kept fighting. They never quit and I am really proud of that. It was just awesome. I'm unbelievably proud."

McAllister also expressed how he felt.

"We were all so stoked," said McAllister. "I'm so proud of all of our guys. We left everything on the field until there was nothing left. We never put our heads down and we did everything we could when we were down to get back in it."

Sisters advances to the semi-finals and was to play at home on Tuesday, November 12, against either Philomath or Stayton.