SALI brings lacrosse action to Sisters

The ninth annual SALI (Sisters Annual Lacrosse Invitational) tournament drew 66 teams from all over Oregon, the majority from the Portland-Metro and Corvallis areas, but also teams from as far away as Lake Tahoe and Idaho. Close to 4,000 visitors came to Sisters for the big event.

Every available field space was in use as teams from first through 12th grade competed in the most looked-forward-to lacrosse event of the season. High school teams, JV teams, and five youth divisions were represented.

Comments from locals and out-of-towners were all positive.

Local Outlaw dad Chris Mayes said, "This is our fourth year attending the SALI tournament. I think its just great; it's great for the program, the community, and the economy. It's unique because teams come from so far away, and they come back every year because it's so well run, and it's fun to be in Sisters."

Michele Ratter, from Canby, and her family were back for their second SALI tournament. The Ratters have two kids involved: Cole, their 12-year-old son who plays in the fifth/sixth division, and their daughter, Devyn, age 10, who plays in the third/fourth boys division.

Ratter said, "We love it here. It's beautiful, great scenery, and great competition. The kids are having a blast. It's a lot of fun."

First-year volunteers Imogen Rex and Shonna Pease were also pleased with the tournament.

Rex said, "My daughter, Isabelle, is in first grade, and it's so great that they were included. It made them feel like a part of the big-kid tournament."

Pease commented, "The tournament was just great. It ran so well, and there were no issues. Everything went smooth."

The boys varsity squad played four games over the course of the tourney. The Outlaws' first two games were nail-biters to the very end. Sisters posted a 6-5 win over McNary, and then took a 4-3 loss to Mt. View. Both games ended in Bravehearts, which is a tiebreaker that goes into sudden death, with two players who face off at mid-field, and two goalies. The first to score wins.

Sisters lost 8-3 in their third game against Lake Tahoe and then wrapped up their play with a 9-3 victory against Ridgeview.

Coach Andrew Gorayeb said, "These guys set up the tent, set up six yurts, lined nine fields, set up the trash barrels, the welcome signs, and the concessions. They set up the first-aid stations, the water, the scoring tables, and then they shut-up and played lacrosse. These kids are exhausted, but they showed up and played their hearts out."

A couple of the varsity players shared their thoughts about the tournament.

Freshman Samson Magnus said, "It's been hard. Some of the teams are really good, but it's also been fun. We get to play lacrosse more than once a day."

Lane Gladden (senior) said, "I like the fun environment. Everybody's having fun, and a good time, and they are stoked to be here."

Gorayeb summed up the weekend:

"This was the most smoothly run SALI ever, thanks to our kids, parent volunteers, coaches, and staff of SPRD."