Boys soccer loses to Brookings Harbor

The boys soccer team's season came to a quick end with their 1-0 loss to Brookings Harbor (BH) at home in Sisters on Saturday, November 5, in the second round of the 4A state playoffs.

Sisters and BH kept the score at 0-0 until the end of the contest. With three minutes left in the game, BH scored off a penalty kick.

The Outlaws defense played very well, but the team just wasn't able to put anything together on offense.

"All the guys played with heart," said Coach Rob Jensen. Ryan (Funk) had a few really nice saves, and Keegan (Green) and Minam (Cravens) locked down the defense. Unfortunately, you can't win them all."

Three days earlier, in the first round of the 4A playoffs, the Outlaws posted a 2-1 win over North Marion in a nail-biter that went into overtime.

Sisters controlled possession of the ball the majority of the first half, but failed to get the ball in the back of the net. At the half the score was 0-0.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, the Outlaws scored off a cross from Malachy Sundstrom to Alec Gannon. The ball deflected off a pile of defenders and came right to Gannon, who slotted it into the bottom-left corner of the net from 10 yards out.

Gannon said, "After that goal we were all pumped because we had the lead."

North Valley struck back six minutes later and made it even at 1-1. The score stayed deadlocked at 1-1 through the remainder of regulation play.

In overtime, the Outlaws started to click and everything came together. Sisters' passes were crisp, their runs were solid, and they had several very good looks in the first half of overtime. Six minutes into the second half, Sundstrom crossed the ball to Gannon in front of the goal, and Alec redirected the ball off the opposite post for the game-winner.

"When I scored that go-ahead goal with only two minutes left before a shootout, I fell to my knees, and then onto my back from sheer exhaustion," said Gannon. "I nearly passed out because I couldn't believe it. When I opened my eyes and saw all of my teammates around me celebrating, it hit me that I just won us the game. That being said, I couldn't have made those plays without all of my amazing teammates. This was no doubt one of the most memorable moments of my entire high school career, and I will cherish it forever."

Jensen commented, "North Valley was athletic and scrappy. Overall, this was a great chemistry-building game, and our full team was able to suit up for only the second time since early September. Our defense was consistent and our wings made great sideline runs."

Jensen made note of Keaton Green and Sundstrom for their outstanding play.

"Keaton played very well, and lifted our play in the second half and overtime. Malachy did a great job distributing the ball and looking for teammates."