Lady Outlaws earn a crown

The Lady Outlaws soccer squad emerged as conference champs after their 1-0 win over Central Linn (CL) on Wednesday, October 19. But the win and claiming the conference title didn’t come easy.

In order for the Outlaws to have a chance, Central Linn had to finish with a tie in their game against Pleasant Hill on Monday, October 17, and then the Outlaws had to beat Central Linn on the road on Wednesday, October 19. That’s just what happened. Central Linn ended their game with Pleasant Hill in a 1-1 tie, and on Wednesday the Outlaws edged out the Cobras 1-0.

On Tuesday against CL, both teams played exceptional defense, and both offenses had limited opportunities to score. It came down to a game of who was going to work the hardest. The Outlaws, for the most part, controlled the pace of play, won every 50/50 ball, and were on the Cobras’ side of the field the majority of the time.

At the half it was an even contest at 0-0.

In the second half, the Outlaws came with the same intensity and focus. They continued to press and didn’t make anything easy for Central Linn.

In the 55th minute, the Outlaws got on the scoreboard. Tatem Cramer received the ball and passed it wide to Marley Holden, who pushed the ball past her defender, and got a toe-poke into the lower right corner of the net for the score.

The Outlaws were excited with the goal, but the defense immediately got together to strategize, while the offense continued to celebrate. With still 25 minutes left in the game, the Outlaws had to stay calm, and focus on finishing strong.

Lily Sundstrom had a great opportunity to score, but unfortunately the ball went off the post. Ella Davis and Becca Clausen continued to attack on the wings, and didn’t allow the Cobras to generate any offense.

However, in the final five minutes, Central Linn pushed hard and had a couple of great opportunities, but Outlaw goalie Josie Patton was there for the saves. Patton and her defense stayed organized, didn’t commit any fouls, and physically outplayed the Cobras and held on for the win.

Coach Brian Holden was very pleased with his defense and said, “I’m proud of my defense for continuing to grow and improve every practice and every game. This game was an example. They stayed organized, calm, and closed the game.”

At the final whistle the Outlaws could easily have jumped up and down and screamed over their win, but they treated the game like any other game, and respectfully congratulated Central Linn on a good game.

Holden added, “After we got back to the locker room and gathered as a team the emotions came out. These girls are such good kids! They work hard for each other, genuinely love each other, and deserve everything they’ve earned this year.”

The Outlaws not only finished first in league, but moved from eighth to fourth place in the state rankings.

Marley Holden finished the game with a hat trick, and Izzy Schiller scored two goals. Ella Davis, Tallis Grummer, and Lily Sundstrom added one goal each.

The highlight of the game was the goal that came from Grummer, her first goal of the season. Zoee Bafford received the ball in the middle and passed it through the gap to Grummer. Grummer outran her defenders and shot the ball from 22 yards out up and over the keeper’s hands.

The entire bench and field players came unglued when Grummer scored. Holden stated they screamed and cheered, and he said it was great to see the support.

The final goal of the contest came from Alvarez, who beat her opponent on the

outside and delivered a dangerous ball straight into the middle of the goal.