The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Lady Outlaws soccer squad wrapped up league play with a 4-1 record and a second-place finish, with their only loss to league rival Philomath. Sisters blanked Cascade 3-0 at home on Tuesday, March 30, and two days later notched a 2-1 road win at Newport.

On Tuesday, the Outlaws tallied their first goal 20 minutes into the contest. The play began in the middle with great passes between Anya Shockley and Marley Holden. After Shockley received the ball in open space up the field, she fed a beautiful ball on the ground up to Hollie Lewis, who beat her defender in a one-touch finish. Sisters held onto the 1-0 lead until the whistle blew that ended the half.

Twenty minutes into the second half the Outlaws scored off a corner kick. Shockley took the corner and Holden finished with a header from 15 yards out that went off the left post and into the net.

Shockley scored Sisters final goal in the last 10 minutes of the game. Tatem Cramer received the ball and pushed the ball back into the open space in front her, beat her defender, and with poise and composure delivered the ball to Shockley, who finished with her left foot from inside the 18 yard box.

Coach Brian Holden said, “It was nice to see the girls pass the ball around and possess the ball more, as well as pressing high when Cascade had the ball in the back.”

The Lady Outlaws’ lone senior, Emilie Turpen, was honored at halftime. Turpen has played all four years on the varsity soccer squad and has been coached by Holden the past two years.

Holden said, “Emilie is hardworking and committed to improving. She shows up at practices and gives 100 percent everyday. She’s like the mother of this team. She keeps us together and positive and looks out for everybody. She will definitely be missed. She’s had a lot of influence on the freshmen and sophomores in particular.”

Two days later the Outlaws endured the four-hour bus ride to Newport, and posted the win which gave them a second-place league finish for the season.

Sisters started the game slow and sluggish. Within the first 10 minutes Newport crossed a ball that went through the Outlaws’ goalie’s hands for the score.

Fifteen minutes later the Newport defense had trouble clearing the ball and Emma Lutz gathered the ball and chipped the goalkeeper from approximately 20 yards out to even the score 1-1.

At the 30-minute mark Sisters scored again. Shockley received the ball on the right side, flicked the ball with her head up to Lewis, who dribbled and beat her defense and tucked the ball into the lower right corner on the ground. At the half, Sisters held a 2-1 advantage.

In the second half, Sisters pressured high, and had opportunities but just couldn’t finish. However, the 2-1 lead from the first half held up and they posted the win.

Holden said, “It’s always hard to travel to Newport. The combination of the long drive, playing on turf, and unknown weather conditions is always difficult. But, this team is definitely relentless. If they’re down a goal or two they always play to the end and never get discouraged. Our defense stays organized from the beginning of every game and I attribute quite a few of our wins to their organization and speed in the back.”

Post-season play for the Outlaws is yet to be determined.