Boys soccer wins nail-biter to advance to second playoff round

Sisters boys soccer squad defeated Blanchet Catholic (BC) 3-2 in a nail-biter in the first round of the state playoffs held in Sisters on Saturday, October 29. The Outlaws advance to the second round and will play on the road against Oregon Episcopal on Tuesday, November 1.

The Outlaws took the field on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in their game against BC, and came with energy and determination. Coach Jeff Husmann told The Nugget that he told his boys, “Every moment matters, soak in each moment and be present throughout the game.”

Sisters settled in and established their presence early, but despite being in control, a broken play led to a quick goal from BC.

Husmann said, “We’ve found ourselves in similar situations this year, where we are winning the battle but have to fight back to get goals. The guys didn’t panic, but knew our plan was working, and that we had certain advantages in a variety of areas on the field.”

It was an even battle until the whistle sounded to end the first half. Both teams had chances and good looks at the goal, but couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net.

The Outlaws came out of the half calm and focused, got some good looks, but were still unable to score. In the 60th minute BC scored again and the Outlaws found themselves down 0-2.

Sisters refused to fold, and continued to battle. In the 70th minute freshman Jesse Polachek made a smart run out of the defense. Aidan Eckert gave a lovely assist and Polachek put the Outlaws on the scoreboard with just 10 minutes left on the clock.

The clock clicked down to five minutes and the Outlaws won a set-piece after a heavy foul just outside of the box. Tate Kaczmarek took the set piece from 25 yards out and crushed it just inches below the cross bar to make it even 2-2 with just a couple minutes left.

Sisters continued to press forward and created four to five corner kicks late in the game, but couldn’t break the deadlock. Regulation play ended in a 2-2 tie, and the game went into two 10-minute periods. Neither team scored and the contest came down to penalty kicks.

Corbin Fredland, the Outlaws’ keeper, was solid in the penalty kicks, and came up with two huge saves. Eckert missed his penalty kick, but Kaczmarek, Fredland, Carson Bell, and Polachek all scored for the Outlaws, which put them on top 4-2 in the penalty kicks and gave them the 3-2 win.

“It was such a commendable performance from Jesse,” said Husmann. “He is the only player on our team this year who has played every minute of every game, and as a freshman center back. Remarkable! He is so humble and yet so very effective and has such an understanding of the game. It was so very fitting that he scored the last penalty kick. Sure, there was pressure, but he sealed the deal. I couldn’t watch, but heard the ball sliding into the back of the net for the win.”