Outlaws dismantle league opponents on soccer pitch

The boys soccer team won back-to-back games this past week to push their league record to 6-0. The Outlaws have dominated league play, and five of their six league wins have been shutouts. They have only given up one goal in league play and four goals overall.

Sisters shut out Sutherlin 11-0 at home on Wednesday, October 7, in a game that was rescheduled from last week; on Thursday, the Outlaws blanked the Huskies 7-0.

In Wednesday's game against the Bulldogs, the Outlaws consistently kept up the tempo and flow of the game. Players made good combination passes, and looked to get each other involved. Malachy Sundstrom led the squad with three goals, and five assists, and five other players contributed in the scoring effort.

After nine missed shots, the Outlaws scored in the 10th minute when Jadon Bachtold played Malachy through the defense for the score. Four minutes later, Keegan Greaney crossed the ball to Colton Mannhalter from the left side across the middle for a nice goal. At the 19 minute-mark Bachtold crossed the ball to Greaney for a solid shot and put the Outlaws on top 3-0.

Sisters scored three more goals in the half within a 12-minute time period. Sundstrom rounded the corner and assisted Mannhalter for a goal, and later flicked the ball over the defense to Bachtold for another goal. Sundstrom received a pass from Alec Gannon in the air and scored off a volley for Sisters' final goal in the half.

In the second half, Coach Rob Jensen switched up players and their positions.

Minam Craven scored one minute into the second half off a Sundstrom assist from the right side across the middle. In the 54th minute, Pierce Wiehrle poked a ball through the defense to Steen Johnson for the tap-in goal, and at the 67 minute mark, Sundstrom crossed a corner to Johnson, who had a sweet volley goal out of the air.

The Outlaws scored their final goals of the night in the 78th and 79th minute. Sundstrom rounded the defense and crossed the ball to Colby Simeral for his first varsity goal.

Jensen explained the Outlaws' final goal:

"Malachy (Sundstrom) defended the ball into the goal by pressuring a number of Sutherlin defenders, who made errors and he ended up with a tap-in goal."

Jensen told The Nugget that he felt that the players who came in off the bench played very well.

"Not only did they all compete, but they extended the lead," said Jensen. "Steen (Johnson) was able to score two goals, Pierce (Wiehrle) had an assist, and Colby Simeral had a goal. They did a real nice job keeping possession and bringing solid energy. Everyone passed the ball well, and kept the game simple."

In Thursday's game at Sweet Home, the Outlaws came out eager and ready to play, and logged six goals in the first half.

Sisters got two goals in the second minute of play; the first came when Sundstrom rounded the right corner and crossed the ball to Gannon. Gannon passed it off to Greaney, who finished it for the goal. Bachtold flicked the ball over the defense to Mannhalter for an easy goal to put the Outlaws on top 2-0.

In the 12th minute of play, Gannon crossed the ball from the right side to Mannhalter for a header into the box.

Sisters last three goals of the first half came in an eight-minute time slot. Sundstrom scored on a breakaway, and then Bachtold scored twice, with assists from Gannon and Sundstrom, respectively.

The Outlaws wrapping up their scoring effort with 15 minutes left on the clock. Bachtold crossed a corner to his brother, Asher, for the tap-in goal.

Jensen said, "The boys passed the ball really well and had some great combination play in the first half. Alec (Gannon) and Keegan (Greaney) did a real good job on the wings, playing combos off of teammates, and then making plays happen. It was really quite beautiful soccer. All of the players did a good job passing and moving and looking for each other."

The Outlaws were to play at Elmira on Tuesday, October 13. Sisters will play at home against Junction City on Thursday, October 15.