Girls soccer kicks off league with win

The Lady Outlaws came out strong in their first league game of the season and bested the Sweet Home Huskies 7-1 in soccer action at home in Sisters on Thursday, September 17.

Nika Chick got the Outlaws started at the 10-minute mark. Chick, with an assist from Lexie Stewart, took the ball across the top of the box, and blasted it into the net with her left foot. Six minutes later, Tessa O'Hern scored on a fast break, thanks to a Chick assist. Michaela Miller pushed the Outlaws to a 3-0 advantage exactly mid-way through the first half. The all-league mid-fielder took a shot from approximately 40 yards out, and lobbed it over the keepers' head.

The Huskies scored their lone goal just a couple of minutes later, but Chick kicked in another one to give the Outlaws a 4-1 lead at the half. Nika took a swing at the ball with her right foot and missed, but managed to keep the ball, and at the top of the 18, was able to knock it in with her left foot. Hannah Tennison was credited with the assist.

Olivia Stewart scored just two minutes into the second half to extend Sisters' lead. Chick had taken a shot that was blocked and then bobbled by the keeper. Olivia corralled the ball, and nudged it past the keeper for the score.

Midway through the half, Miller punched in her second goal from 12 yards out on a fast-break, assisted by Chick.

Sisters' final goal came off a Marissa Young corner kick. The ball hit a Sweet Home player and bounced out to Anna Ortega. Ortega was near the top of the box, and kicked it into the top right corner.

Ortega, who normally plays defense, was thrilled with her first-ever varsity goal.

Coach Thomas Draxler noted left forward Tessa O' Hern.

"Tessa had really good ball control - and her goal in the 16th minute was her first varsity goal ever, and she was overjoyed."

Draxler told The Nugget he was happy with his players' performance.

"I was happy with the way the girls really wanted the ball," said Draxler. "They were very aggressive, and got to the ball first. But we still need to work on playing the ball down the sideline, rather than up the middle."

The Lady Outlaws were to play at Elmira on Tuesday, September 22. Sisters will play at home two days later against Junction City on Thursday.