Zorza named new girls soccer coach

Makena Zorza was hired three weeks ago as the girls assistant soccer coach, but after long-time coach Brian Holden resigned, she took over the head coaching position.

Zorza graduated from Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) in 2018 and played soccer all four years, three years on their varsity squad as a forward and outside midfielder.  While at Hood River the team won their conference every year.

Photo by Rongi Yost

Makena Zorza has taken the reins of the girls soccer program.

She went on and attended the University of Idaho where she played Club Soccer. Zorza graduated in 2021, moved to Bend, and has worked for the J Bar J Youth Service the past three years.

Zorza told The Nugget she'd been wanting to get back into soccer and researched what was available in Central Oregon. She noticed the assistant coaching position for girls soccer was open, applied, was interviewed, and hired.

With Holden's unexpected resignation, she took over as head coach.

Zorza said, "I'm excited for the opportunity to be head coach, but obviously disappointed it came with Brian's resignation. In the three short weeks I've worked with him I saw how he interacted with the team and have taken away many positive things that I think will benefit me with this team as we move forward."

The Lady Outlaws kicked off their season with a 2-1 win at home over Madras in a non-league game on Tuesday, September 3. Their Thursday's match at Central Linn was cancelled and will be rescheduled for later in the season.

In Tuesday's game Madras scored 22 minutes into the contest and at the half the Outlaws found themselves down 0-1.

Sisters scored their first goal in the second half in the 59th minute. Zoee Bafford dribbled through the middle from the defensive end, and found Maddie Kirkpatrick up top. Kirkpatrick dribbled to the corner and crossed the ball towards the back post and Melia Jenkins was there to finish. Jenkins crashed the goal and drove the ball into the upper left corner for the score.

Seven minutes later the Lady Outlaws scored again. The ball was played from the midfield to Kirkpatrick, who made a quick pass to Jenkins. Jenkins caught the keeper off her line and scored a shot to the middle of the goal.

Freshman Kennedy Davis stepped in as keeper and had some great saves for the Outlaws. Coach Zorza told The Nugget that the defense communicated well, played well together, and covered for each other. She added that Shae Wyland and Zoee Bafford had some great recovery moments.

Sisters was scheduled to play at Creswell on Monday, September 9. They will play at home against Pleasant Hill on Wednesday, September 11.