Girls soccer team splits games

The Lady Outlaws soccer squad fell 3-0 to Central Linn at home on Monday, September 30, but bounced back on Thursday, October 3, and defeated Creswell 2-1 in another home contest.

On Monday, with the Central Linn Cobras ahead by one, the Lady Outlaws were sure they’d scored a goal to knot it up in the 35th minute of play. The referees saw it differently and the goal did not count. The Cobras scored their second goal of the contest in a quick counter attack and went up by two.

Coach Makena Zorza said, “The girls struggled to find their momentum in this fast-paced game and the Cobras took advantage of every opportunity they were given. They were well connected in the middle and created lots of space for themselves to run into.”

The Outlaws struggled to be first to the ball and make quick decisions, and that gave the Cobras more time to create scoring opportunities. Sisters did a better job in the second half connecting their passes, but found it hard to get themselves into a shooting position. Time expired and Sisters took the loss.

Three days later, the Outlaws posted a 2-1 win at home over the Creswell Lady Bulldogs.

Sisters started off strong and scored three minutes into the contest. A Creswell defender attempted to shield the ball by the end line, but Ella Davis pressured hard, won the ball from the defender, and took a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced back into play. Zoee Bafford followed the shot and finished it on the ground into the far left corner of the net for the score.

Creswell scored the equalizer on a set play following a foul at the top of the 18 in the 24th minute, and at the half the score was tied 1-1.

The Lady Outlaws’ second goal came 17 minutes into the second half. Verbena Brent sent a ball from the defense to Davis in the forward position, and Davis made good on a long shot from outside the 18 that sailed into the upper left corner of the goal. Sisters held onto the 2-1 lead until the final whistle.

“This was the best the girls have played together as a team all season,” said Zorza. “They implemented things we have been working on in practice, communicated well, and supported each other in every play. It was a huge win for us. It really was a great game to watch and I am proud of the progress these girls are making.”

Zorza added, “Tallis Grummer and Mia Rosas controlled the middle of the field and found the open channels to the wings (Bafford and Devon Stevens), or they reset the play back to the defense if the forward movement wasn’t on. Ella Eby, Shae Wyland, Verbena Brent, Nona Smith, and Addie Clayton all played in defense and worked great together, communicating and finding open teammates to build plays from the defensive end.”

Sisters was scheduled to play at Pleasant Hill on Monday, October 7. They will wrap up their week at home on Thursday, October 10, against Siuslaw. The following Tuesday, October 15, they will play on the road at Santiam Christian.