Lady Outlaws kick off league play with two shutouts

The Lady Outlaws kicked off league with a 2-0 shutout at Creswell on Tuesday, September 5, and on the road two days later a 1-0 victory over Pleasant Hill (PH).

In Tuesday’s soccer action the Outlaws scored back-to-back goals at the 34th and 36th minute to take a 2-0 lead. 

Sisters was awarded a free kick outside the 18-yard box, and the team used one of the free kicks they’d been practicing. Juhree Kizziar laid the ball off to Marley Holden who had a powerful shot that was an absolute screamer that flew into the upper left corner of the net through the keeper’s hands.

Just two minutes later the Outlaws got another free kick on the halfway line. Shae Wyland placed the ball in a dangerous position for Creswell, who didn’t clear the ball. Holden collected the ball and laced it to the lower left of the net.

Coach Brian Holden said, “Overall, it was a good opening game for the girls to find a rhythm and confident passing. I’d like to see us improve in the second half with the same pace of play.”

Kizziar, who usually plays at outside back, was asked to play center midfield and she did a tremendous job. Holden said that Juhree’s fitness and energy made it difficult for Creswell to get by her.

Maggie Lutz was also asked to play in a new position, and was moved from center midfield to an outside back.

Holden said, “She just said, ‘No problem, I’ll do whatever is best for the team.’ Maggie absolutely stood out with her defensive skills, and her calmness passing out of the back.”

Two days later the team hit the road again with a contest at Pleasant Hill and walked off the field with a win. Last year the Lady Outlaws did not beat the Billies, but did tie them. This time around was a very intense contest and a nail-biter to the end.

Holden said, “It was so fun to watch our girls. We were in front of their goal the entire game. We had lots of shots on goal (14) and great passing. We were just a bit off on our shots, which hit the post, and hit the crossbar, and just missed going in.”

Just 12 minutes into the game goalie Ava Riehle had a very impressive save. Pleasant Hill broke through the defense and got a shot off, but Riehle slid, and dove to the left corner for a really big save.

“If they’d have scored that could have easily changed the momentum,” said Holden. “In my opinion it was a game-winning save, considering the way the game went.”

With 10 minutes left on the clock the Outlaws scored. The midfield collected the ball and found Rylie Bick making a forward run. Bick slotted the ball between the defense to Kizziar, who buried the ball into the lower left corner of the net.

Holden said, “It was such a relief to finally get a goal.”

Sisters held their slim lead as time ticked down on the clock, and walked off the field with the win.

Holden noted players Maggie Lutz, Shae Wyland, and Lilly Sundstrom.

“Maggie’s calm presence and distribution out of the back along with Shae’s speed and strength, as well as Lilly’s speed, just didn’t allow any threats,” said Holden. “We put Lilly on their fastest winger and she really frustrated her with her speed and quickness.”

Holden summed up the contest: “This was a game where we finally started to click, connected multiple passes, and trusted each other and had a good understanding of our new system.”

Sisters was scheduled to play at home against Siuslaw on Tuesday, September 12. They will travel to Santiam Christian on Thursday, September 14.