Boys soccer blanks two league foes

The boys soccer team continued to steam-roll over league opponents this past week. The Outlaws recorded a 3-0 shutout under the lights at Cottage Grove (CG) on Tuesday, September 30, and two days later shut out Sutherlin 8-0 at home.

In Tuesday's action, the Outlaws scored two goals in the first half to go up 2-0. Malachy Sundstrom scored off a deflection inside the 18-yard box at the 10-minute mark and 14 minutes later scored again on an assist by Justin Harrer. Malachy tapped the ball past a defender and powered a hard shot into the lower left-hand corner for the score.

The Outlaws scored their final goal with two minutes left on the clock. Ben Larson recovered a missed-clearance from the Lion's defense and stuck it in the back of the net from just outside 40 yards.

Coach Rob Jensen said, "It was one of the best shots I've seen in my career."

Of the win Jensen said, "Winning at CG on turf under the lights is a big deal. The kids played hard and limited CG to zero shots on goal. Our ball control and defense were super. Casey Lane and Gabe Willitts played really well and thwarted the CG attack all night long."

Sundstrom told The Nugget that the Outlaws knew heading into the contest that the Lions would be a tough opponent.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we played relaxed, and having Colton (Mannhalter) back gave us a boost of energy."

Mannhalter returned to play after being out several games due to a hamstring injury.

Two days later, the Outlaws shut down the visiting Bulldogs. Sisters went on a scoring flurry and at the half were up 5-0.

Sundstrom got the Outlaws going in the 10th minute when he scored off a deflected shot by Mannhalter, and eight minutes later scored an unassisted goal and put the Outlaws on top 2-0.

Harrer proved a force to be reckoned with and scored a hat-trick in a three-minute period. Justin started his onslaught with a left-footed shot from 17 yards out, followed by a left-footed shot from 15 yards out, and finished when he chest-trapped a defensive clearance from outside the 18-yard box and vollied it in for a hat-trick.

The Outlaws tacked on three more goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half with goals from Connor Schaab, Jadon Bachtold, and Andreas Pederson.

Sisters' defense was stellar and did not allow the Bulldogs a shot on goal the entire game.

"It was really good to see Justin (Harrer) and Connor (Schaab) have break-out games, as well as Malachy (Sundstrom) continue his scoring presence," stated Jensen. "We had lots of good attempts at goal, and many players saw action."

Sundstrom said, "We were really stoked entering into this game. They (Sutherlin) didn't expect us to play at the level we did. It was a great team effort. We played strong and were able to pass the ball super-easily."

The Outlaws were to play at home against the Sweet Home Huskies on Tuesday, October 7. Sisters has a bye on Thursday, October 9, and will resume play the following Tuesday at Elmira.