Lady Outlaws roll over the White Buffs

The girls soccer team crushed Madras 8-1 in their last non-conference game of the season on Wednesday, September 8. After their 4-0 loss in their opening game to a young, talented Caldera squad the previous week, the Lady Outlaws made adjustments and some new formations and found success against Madras.

Senior captains Anya Shockley, Hollie Lewis, and Reese Harwell combined for Sisters’ eight goals in the contest.

Shockley had success up top (five goals) with several breakaways and scored on the majority of her opportunities. Lewis scored her first goal with a free kick from 25 yards out above the keeper’s head. Her other score was a give-and-go with Anya, who slotted the ball to her for a breakaway. Harwell scored on a run from the outside. Maggie Lutz fed her the ball in open space and she finished with a shot into the lower right corner of the net.

Coach Brian Holden said, “The girls found a good rhythm and passed with confidence. They controlled the game on the ground and were patient with their attacks. It was a good game going into league and we want to continue to build off of it.”

The Lady Outlaws will play at home against Stayton on Thursday, September 16.

Sixteen players have returned to the Lady Outlaws varsity squad, and with them comes an enormous amount of experience and talent.

Shockley, Lewis, and Harwell are back for their final season, along with seniors Emma Lutz, Maddie Symonds, Lindsey Scott, and Oly Thorson.

Shockley has a nose for the goal as a fast, strong forward, and Lewis is an experienced, quick, and intelligent player in the center of the midfield. Lutz and Scott, both midfielders, will provide width to the defensive game, and Thorson and Harwell are versatile players that can play both defense and midfield. Symonds plays outside back on defense and is a hardworking, competitive defender.

Juniors Analise Backus, Sage Wyland, Josie Patton, and Tatum Cramer also return for another season.

Backus and Wyland will continue as center backs. The duo work well together and are quick and tenacious and minimize mistakes out of the back. Patton returns as the Outlaws goalie. Coach Holden told The Nugget that Josie continues to improve every year and is showing confidence and positive leadership as their keeper.

Cramer will see time at the forward position.

“Tatum will be a support for a forward,” said Holden. “I’m hoping with her size and shooting she’ll get us more goals in front of the net.”

Sophomores Marley Holden, Katie Ryan, Maggie Lutz, and Izzy Schiller round out the returning varsity players.

Holden and Lutz both play at holding midfield, and their intelligent passing and distribution will allow the Outlaws to get forward in attacking. According to Coach Holden, Ryan is a very quiet player who does everything right, and he is hoping she will score more goals for the team from the wing position.

Schiller (holding mid) broke her foot during pre-season and will hopefully join the team toward the end of the season. Coach Holden stated that her experience will be missed until she recovers.

Freshman Shae Wyland and sophomore Lilly Sundstrom join the varsity squad.

“My hope is they will add speed and develop quickly with their upperclassmen,” said Coach Holden.

Junior Faith Gulick and freshman Ella Davis will be swing players and will get minutes on the varsity pitch.

Coach Holden said, “The girls had a lot of success last year with their ranking going from 21st to ninth, and I want to continue to build off of that. We’re in a very competitive league so it will take a lot of effort. Woodburn, Philomath, and Stayton tend to always be quarterfinalists to semifinalists in state and we’re all grouped in the same league.”