Girls lacrosse start season with 16 players

The girls lacrosse team returns nine veteran players and adds seven new players to their squad this year. First-year Coach Mikaela Trott-Rickards is excited about her team, their potential, and the season ahead.

Emily Ford, Jenny O'Connor, Summer Roberson and Langley Vogt return as seniors and their final year with the team.

Ford is a captain and will play at midfield. Emily is tall and has very good stick skills, which is a great combo according to Trott-Rickards. O'Connor is short and quick and will play attack. Jenny can out-sprint other players and she doesn't quit until the ball is in her stick. Vogt possesses advanced technical skills and, according to Trott-Rickards, has a mature understanding of the game and field positioning. Langley will play center and is also a captain on the squad.

Trott-Rickards said, "Langley is very dedicated and organized. She is going to have an amazing senior year."

Summer Roberson is in her second year of lacrosse, will play defense for the Outlaws, and rounds out the senior players.

"Summer is willing to work hard to improve on her skills from last year," said Trott-Rickards. "She will be a great asset to the team's defense."

Four juniors, Sierra Hummel, Mackenzie Hendrickson, Taylor Schneider and Marissa Young, as well as sophomore Bree Papworth, complete the returning players.

Hummel's position is still undecided but Trott-Rickards told The Nugget that Sierra is a positive and uplifting teammate, who is strong and growing into an amazing player, with great stick skills and decision-making.

Hendrickson will play defense. Trott-Rickards said that Mackenzie has a great attitude and knows her position well.

Schneider is an attack player and also one of the captains on the team. Taylor has strong skills and Trott-Rickards said she has a desire to understand the game, is a good decision-maker, and a great leader.

Young is a very strong and aggressive player and will play midfield. Marissa is a fast player who doesn't quit if she gets beat. Trott-Rickards said that Marissa is impressive and an exciting player to watch.

Papworth played goalie for the Outlaws last season, but her position this year is still undecided.

"Hopefully, she'll play goalie part-time," the coach said. "She has good leadership and decision-making skills, and is working her way into using a regular stick and doing great."

Seven freshman will join the varsity squad this year, including Addy Baney, Jessica Edwards, Brenna Jividen, Mckenna Jones, Katelyn Josten, Makila Lajko and Keely Roberson.

Baney, Jividen, Lajko and Jones' positions have yet to be decided. Baney is a quick player and Jividen is a smart player who understands field position well. Trott-Rickards described Lajko as a positive and dedicated player. Jones is tall and quick, and working hard to be a crucial member of the team.

Edwards, who used to play in Hood River, will play at midfield. Jessica is quick-footed and, according to the coach, has impressive stick-work.

Josten and Keely Roberson round out the newcomers. Katelyn is a multi-athlete student. Trott-Rickards noted that she is very impressed with both girls, stated they are picking up the game quickly, and look to be key players in the game.

The coach told The Nugget that the team's goals for this season are to establish a strong foundation in offense, defensive and midfield transitions, and slowly add new plays. They hope to become a front-running team in the OGLA League.

Sisters' first game of the season will be Monday, March 16, at South Salem.