Boys soccer clinches league title

The boys soccer team won both their games on the road this past week to clinch the league title for the fifth consecutive year.

Sisters shut out Elmira 3-0 on Tuesday, October 14, and two days later earned a 7-2 victory over Junction City.

In Thursday's action against the Tigers, Andreas Pederson scored in the first minute of play to get the Outlaws started. Malachy Sundstrom rounded the right corner and had his shot deflected by the keeper, and Pederson recovered the ball and placed it to the left side of the net from 14 yards out.

Jadon Bachtold scored on a two-yard tap-in on the right side off a Justin Harrer assist to put the Outlaws on top 2-0, and then turned around and assisted Billy Biggers and Minam Cravens, who both scored easy goals.

Harrer scored an amazing goal on a set-piece from 35 yards out into the upper-left corner to boost the Outlaws to a 5-0 advantage and close out the first-half scoring.

Four minutes into the second half, Colton Mannhalter received the ball from Connor Schaab, dribbled past three defenders for a one-on-one against the keeper for the score. Cravens wrapped up Sisters' scoring effort in the 47th minute. Minam's shot deflected off the defense for the goal.

The Tigers scored their two goals in the second half, at the 57- and 70-minute marks.

Coach Rob Jensen told The Nugget that the Outlaws are really starting to click.

"Our ability to score in multiple ways, defend tenaciously throughout the field, and our depth are going to be keys in the playoffs. Players are starting to gear up for another post-season run and appear to be firing on all cylinders. Goal No. 1 is secured, and we are on to goal No. 2."

Two days earlier, the Outlaws recorded a win over the Falcons. It was a quiet first half, with the score even at 0-0 at the half.

Sundstrom scored Sisters' first goal off a cross from Pederson at the 52-minute mark, and two minutes later Cravens scored thanks to a pass from Bachtold.

Sundstrom scored the Outlaws' final goal in the 62nd minute off a pass from Schaab.

Sisters held Elmira to just one shot on goal. Jenson stated that the defense played very well, and the offense made some really good combinations.

"We attacked well and had many opportunities," said Jensen. "The attacking players have done a great job pressuring up top and keeping the ball in the attacking third. Minam (Cravens), Malachy (Sundstrom), and Andreas (Pederson), have continued to get better and better and develop great chemistry. Jadon (Bachtold) and Colton (Mannhalter) are also coming on strong and are really playing with experience and poise."

The Outlaws were to play at home against Cottage Grove on Tuesday, October 21. Sisters will play their last league game of the season at Sutherlin on Thursday, October 23.