Girls soccer comes from behind to win at home

The girls soccer team came from behind and pulled off a 3-1 victory at home against Elmira on Tuesday, October 14, and two days later defeated Junction City 4-1, again at home in Sisters.

On Tuesday, Elmira scored five minutes into the contest off a free kick from approximately 30 yards out to go up 1-0. The shot by the Falcons took the Outlaws off-guard.

"It was a good lesson for us about coming out strong and really needing to push hard to play the game in the other team's half, rather than letting them play around our goal, leading to more opportunities like free-kicks and corner-kicks," said Coach Audrey Tehan.

This marked one of the first times in the last month where the Lady Outlaws have found themselves behind. Sisters reacted well, pushed and fought back, and dominated play the remainder of the game.

Cassandra Arruda scored a goal to tie the game about 12 minutes later. Arruda came from left outside-midfield, and dribbled through three players to score.

"It was a great play," said Tehan. "The team set up well, distributed the ball out wide to her, drawing the defense out, and created space for Cassandra to dribble into the center."

Sisters finished a strong first half with 12 shots on goal, but just couldn't finish them. At the half the score was even at 1-1.

"At halftime the team was very focused, and we were determined we could come back and win the game," stated Tehan.

Elmira was called for a handball in the box in the 46th minute and Sisters was awarded a PK. Molly Boyle placed a perfect shot in the corner to put the Outlaws on top 2-1.

"Molly is very good at taking penalty kicks, and it really shows how she can handle a pressure situation," said Tehan.

Twenty minutes later, Michaela Miller received a ball from Chawndra Craig on the outside, settled the ball, dribbled past a few Falcon defenders and made a great shot which deflected off an Elmira player for the score.

Tehan told The Nugget it was a well-placed shot.

"They (Elmira) just couldn't stop it from going in," said Tehan. "Molly is a dominating player in the center for us. She is always around the play, works extremely hard, and is a very humble player that is really fun to coach."

Boyle, Liz Stewart, Miller and MJ Murphy created a strong backbone for the Outlaws and helped propel the team forward.

Anna Ortega and Nina Horner, along with Murphy, did a great job and held the defense in place. The defensive line helped create diverse attacks, passed the ball back through each other and found the forward runners.

"Nina and Anna have always been solid, and they are also really positive members on the team," said Tehan. "They are constantly encouraging, working hard, and playing smart."

The Outlaws finished with 20 shots on goal and will work hard on their finishing before they head into playoffs.

"Against good teams we will only get three to five good opportunities, and we have to be able to execute those opportunities," said Tehan. "I am confident the girls will rise to the challenge as they are dedicated to improving."

Sisters played their best game of the season two days later at home against Junction City.

Tehan told The Nugget that the Lady Outlaws had more determination and focus than she'd seen so far.

The Outlaws scored their first goal just 13 seconds into the game. Boyle received a long ball from Liz Stewart in the midfield and made a perfect shot off her second touch. Boyle is proving to be lethal as an attacker, which will be a big a boost to the Outlaws as they head into playoffs.

Arruda scored at the 13-minute mark off an assist from Dani Rundinsky to put the Outlaws on top 2-0. Rudinsky made an incredible play when she won the ball out of the air with a header. Dani directed the ball over the top of the JC defense to Arruda. Cassandra took the ball down and drove the shot into the goal.

Arruda beat two defenders in the box and placed the ball past the JC keeper for Sisters' third goal 20 minutes later.

Sisters scored one additional goal before the half. Stewart played a nice ball into the corner of the net, out of reach of the JC keeper. Schneider recorded the assist. At the half the Outlaws held a 4-0 lead.

JC scored their lone goal on a cross that bounced around in the box. The Tigers got to the ball first and nailed the ball into the corner.

"The determination of our team tonight was exciting to see," said Tehan. "I was extremely proud of all the players and their individual play."

Tehan noted that Jenny O'Connor had her best game of the year.

"Jenny has been working extremely hard," said Tehan. "She was connecting passes and creating a lot of opportunities for the team."

The Outlaws were to play at Cottage Grove on Tuesday, October 21. Sisters will wrap up league play at Sutherlin on Thursday, October 23.