The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Outlaws lacrosse squad were defeated 1-14 by Mountain View on Wednesday, March 30, but two days later they

bounced back with a 12-7 win at Century.

Sisters came out strong in their game against Century on Friday, and were up 5-2 at the close of the first quarter. One highlight of the quarter was a goal from Kyle Pilarski, a long-pole player who primarily plays on the defensive end of the field. Players at that position rarely score, so the team was stoked when he put the ball in the net. Four other players also scored in the quarter, including Wyatt Maffey, Cooper Merrill, Eli Johnson, and Adam Maddox-Castle.

Scoring continued for the Outlaws in the second quarter with five goals again coming from five different players Maddox-Castle, Merrill, Gaven Henry, Ricky Huffman, and Mason Sellers. At the half, the Outlaws were on top 10-4.

Sisters had a bit of a lull in the third quarter as they relaxed with their comfortable 10-4 lead. The defense stayed strong and allowed Century just one goal. In the final quarter, Maddox-Castle knocked in two more goals and Sisters held on and won by five.

Maddox-Castle led the team with four goals, and Max Palanuk led the team with nine ground balls. Tanner Pease was a big part of the team’s success, as he won the majority of the face-offs and scooped up six ground balls. Gus Patton also played strong and finished with six ground balls as well.

Coach Paul Patton said, “The team effort was helped by the fact that our roster was pretty close to full-strength again after being depleted by injury and absences in our previous couple of games. With 22 players dressed down we had our top athletes available, and the depth of backups to sustain a strong effort for four quarters.”

In Wednesday’s game two days earlier, Mason Sellers scored Sisters’ lone goal against Mt. View in the third quarter off an assist from Maddox-Castle.

Mountain View possessed the ball for the majority of the contest and out-shot the Outlaws 37-20. Their squad boasts big, strong athletes, and they play a very physical game.

Sisters played fairly well in the first half and made Mt. View work for their goals. In the third quarter, Mt. View outnumbered the Outlaws in transition and scored several times, and by the end racked up 14 goals and secured the win.

The Outlaws were missing several players, due both to injury and travel, and younger players stepped up. Eli Palanuk and Evan Martin got more minutes on the field and held their own against the bigger Mt. View squad.

Patton told The Nugget that Maddox-Castle was a top performer for the Outlaws, and played in the midfield rather than his normal attack position. Senior and first-year player AJ Scholl has been a pleasant surprise to the team as a long-stick defender, and Patton noted that his defensive skills from playing soccer and basketball have transferred nicely to the lacrosse field.

Sisters was scheduled to play at South Eugene against their JV squad on Tuesday, April 5. They will host Hillsboro on Saturday, April 9.