Girls soccer moves up in state rankings

The Lady Outlaws kicked off league play with a 8-0 shutout at Creswell on Tuesday, September 6, and at home two days later finished with a 0-0 tie against Pleasant Hill. Pleasant Hill has been the conference champs for the past two years. With the tie, the Outlaws moved up to second in the 3A state rankings.

It was an exciting game against the Billies in Thursday’s matchup, and Coach Brian Holden commented on the game.

“We definitely played a better game,” said Holden. “Their’s (PH) was a long ball over the top and chase. We passed well, and did a great job on defense. We put the ball in front of the goal and had opportunities, but just couldn’t finish.”

Goalkeeper Josie Patton and the defensive unit did a great job and recorded another shutout.

“Josie was aggressive coming off her line, was vocal, and she kept her team positive,” said Holden. “And I have to praise the defense for doing their job of keeping the ball out of the net.”

Several other players also made big contributions.

Trinity Alvarez, at wing for the Outlaws, took on her opponents with quality shots and crosses into the center of the field. Midfielders Izzy Schiller, Marley Holden, and Tatem Cramer clogged up the middle and played physical throughout the contest, and forward Ella Davis worked hard from beginning to end, had a few opportunities to score, but unfortunately missed the mark.

Holden said, “The Outlaws continue to shut out teams. These girls have been great since they were freshmen and now they’re seniors. Their goal in league is to not get scored on the entire season, and this year we’re going to try and take the title from Pleasant Hill.”

Earlier in the week against Creswell, Marley Holden got the Outlaws’ scoring spree started at the 10-minute mark with a nice shot from outside the 18-yard box.

Sisters scored three more goals in the first half. Davis challenged the goalkeeper, and her constant pressure up top against both the defense and the goalie resulted in two goals. Becca Blausen received the ball wide and shot from inside the 18 for a goal, and at the half the Outlaws held a 4-0 lead.

The Outlaws continued to pressure the Bulldogs and played the entire game in front of the goal. They moved the ball extremely well and knocked in four additional goals. Davis scored two, Trinity Alvarez made one from outside the 18, and Holden scored the final goal.

Blausen, Lily Sundstrom, and Izzy Schiller each recorded an assist.

Holden said, “We controlled the game and moved the ball. It was a passing exposition. The girls were confident on their finishes and the win was a 100 percent team effort.”

Sisters was scheduled to play at home against La?Pine on Monday, September 12. They will travel to Elmira for a match against the Falcons on Wednesday, September 14.

Sisters played against Redmond in their first game of the season on Thursday, September 1. Teams were evenly matched, but the Outlaws didn’t have all their players; three were injured, and they ended up with only 10 on the field to finish the game, and had to take a 0-1 loss.