Girls soccer posts two wins

The Lady Outlaws posted two more wins in league play: a 3-2 road win at Elmira on Tuesday, September 22, and a 2-1 victory at home two days later against Junction City.

In Tuesday's action, Sisters recorded 14 shots on goal in the very rough, physical game. Elmira had 11.

Sisters' Nika Chick got the Outlaws on the scoreboard at the five-minute mark. Michaela Miller passed the ball over to Chick in the middle, and Nika booted the ball into the corner from the top of the 18.

Just over midway through the half, the Falcons scored to tie it up 1-1.

The Outlaws responded five minutes later, when Tessa O' Hern took the ball down on the right side, and crossed it in to Chick, who headed it in for the goal. The Outlaws kept the lead at 2-1 until the half.

Eight minutes into the second half, Sisters added a goal to go up 3-1. Miller had a brilliant throw-in over the center defenders' head, and Katelynn Josten vollied it inside the far post for what turned out to be the Outlaws' winning goal.

"What was so special about that goal was that for the first half of the game our throw-ins had been short, but this time Michaela stepped over and took the throw-in really far," said Coach Thomas Draxler. "That took Elmira's defense by surprise, and we got the jump on them."

The Falcons were able to grab another goal in the last minute of the game, but the Outlaws held on for the win.

Miller shared her thoughts.

"Instead of giving up after Elmira tied the game, we kept fighting and did not let down the rest of the game," said Miller. "What really allowed us to win was that we did not let Elmira's successes bring us down. We played our game, and pushed as a team until the end."

Marissa Young had a fabulous game and stood out at the stopper position.

"Marissa hustled all over the field, winning balls, and intimidating the other team," said Draxler. "She got laid out a few times, but always had the perseverance to get back up."

Draxler had positive comments for the Outlaws' defense.

"Our defense is doing very well," said Draxler. "They are pushing up the half, and are winning balls in the air. They are coordinating their coverage so that there are few gaps in their line."

Draxler also noted that the Outlaws' offense is getting the ball down the wing, and overall they are taking more shots.

Draxler added, "If we're to win the next few games, we need to be more disciplined to pass the ball on the ground, and to back up our teammates when we're trying to win the ball back."

At home against Junction City on Thursday, the Outlaws posted 23 shots on goal, compared to the Tigers' nine.

The Outlaws dominated play throughout the contest, but at the half the score was still deadlocked at 0-0.

Three minutes into the second half, Miller scored the Outlaws' first goal. Chick put a through-ball to Miller, who ran through the defenders on a fast break, and put it in under the keeper for the goal.

Chick scored the next goal four minutes later. This time around, Miller passed to Nika at the top of the box, and Nika finished it into the roof of the net from 18 yards out.

The Tigers scored their goal 15 minutes into the half, and the Outlaws held on for the win.

Draxler said, "I was pleased with our passing intelligence. We received the ball, looked up to make a smart pass to another player, and then the one who received it turned and looked up, and made a smart pass to another, and before we knew it, we had a shot on goal."

Freshman Tate Rickers played right midfield in the second half, and covered a lot of ground for the Outlaws. Draxler told The Nugget that Rickers beat the Tigers' midfielders and their defense on that side of the field.

Nina Horner, at sweeper, won a lot of balls in the air.

The Outlaws are currently at 3-0 in league play. Sisters was to play at Cottage Grove on Tuesday, September 29. On Thursday, October 1, the Outlaws will play at home against Sutherlin.