Outlaws snap losing streak

The Outlaws boys soccer fell 0-4 at Mt. View on Tuesday, September 6, for their third straight loss of the season. They were hungry for a win, came out strong at home against Crook County (CC) two days later, and notched a 7-4 victory.

Sisters played a very skilled 5A Mt. View team on Tuesday, and knew it would be a tough contest. Mt. View scored in the first minute of play and held the 1-0 lead as teams entered the half.

Coach Jeff Husmann told The Nugget that the Outlaws were disorganized and the Cowboys’ speed and ability allowed them to score.

Momentum went back and forth for much of the second half.

Husmann said, “The strength and depth of their squad began to wear us down a bit. We don’t have a very deep bench, and fatigue certainly started to factor in. We continued to fight and were at times frustrating their midfielders.”

Crook County scored with 15 minutes left in the match, and added two more quick goals with under 10 minutes left on the clock to record the win.

Husmann noted that the Outlaws’ defense, who were under a lot of pressure much of the contest, simply ran out of steam.

In Thursday’s matchup against Crook County the Outlaws for the first time this season had their entire team available and healthy. They made some shifts in positions, and moved Vincent Christian to holding midfield so he could be more involved in all aspects of the game. Four-year starters Aidan Eckert and Tate Kaczmarek played as forwards.

Sisters set the tone early and Kaczmarek scored nine minutes into the game off a Taine Martin assist. Two minutes later, Kaczmarek scored again off an assist from Aidan Eckert.

Momentum shifted when the Cowboys scored at the 17-minute mark and again five minutes later to knot it up 2-2.

The Outlaws regained the lead in the 29th minute off a goal from Eckert, thanks to an assist from Kaczmarek. Kaczmarek scored two more goals to give the Outlaws a 5-2 lead at the half.

Crook County scored twice midway through the second half to close the gap to 5-4.

Coach Jeff Husmann told The Nugget coaches were a bit nervous, but the Outlaws rallied. Sophomore Danny Benson scored his first varsity goal, and with four minutes left in the game, junior Logan Ryba scored his first varsity goal, to push the Outlaws to a 7-4 advantage.

Husmann said, “Danny has been working hard and has shown he can be a contributor on this team, and he seems to improve each game. Logan has emerged as a strong defender. He is such an athletic and physical player. He’s also emerging as a very versatile player as we shifted him into an attacker, where he scored.”

Husmann noted goalkeeper Taine Martin, who he said did an outstanding job in the goal, and added that every game he gains confidence in his ability and continues to be a physical presence in the box.

Late in the game, a CC attacker slid into Martin, who was injured and had to be taken out of the game. Corbin Fredland stepped in and finished the match.

Husmann also made note of Baylor Dyer.

“Baylor is finding his form,” said Husmann. “He is such a scrappy defender with the ability to go forward and be a part of the offense.”

Husmann said, “This game was certainly an emotional roller coaster for us. Certainly one thing we will work on is finding greater consistency to prevent the yo-yo effect. We did control the midfield throughout the contest, whereas they would rely on a much more direct approach, playing boom ball from their defense, trying to catch us out of position.”

The Outlaws will play at home against The Dalles on Wednesday, September 14, and then travel to Siuslaw on Monday, September 19, for their first league game of the season.