News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The boys lacrosse squad matched up last week against Burns, a team similar in size compared to the 5A and 6A teams both squads havebeen playing against. The Hilanders' roster was small like the Outlaws, with 10 available players compared to Sisters' 11, so coaches agreed that an eight vs. eight game would be more appropriate than the usual 10 vs. 10.
Each team removed one defender and one attack player from the field to give teams subs on the sideline that could be rotated into the game. When the final whistle blew, the Outlaws were on top and recorded the 14-3 victory.
Sisters got on the board quickly with a goal from Cooper Merrill just 40 seconds into the contest, and five minutes later Eli Palanuk scored their second goal off a pass from Gus Patton. Kyle Pilarski added a goal with an outside shot with his defensive long stick, and at the end of first quarter the Outlaws held a 3-0 advantage.
In the second quarter, freshman Ian Landon scored his first varsity goal on a dish from Patton. Midway through the quarter Burns scored, but from that point on the Outlaws dominated play. Sisters got two more goals from Merrill, which gave him a hat trick in the game. The Outlaws also got a score from Hayden Kunz and a last second shot from Kyle Pilarski just before the buzzer sounded to end the half.
The Outlaws started the third with a commanding 8-1 lead, so decided to switch their focus to control of the ball, taking good shots and using their off hand. Ethan Martin scored the first of his two second-half goals just 90 seconds into the action, followed shortly by Kunz with his second goal of the game. Patton, who had four assisted goals so far, got his own score with three minutes left in the quarter.
The Hilanders scored two goals of their own to keep it a close quarter.
Just over a minute into the final period, Patton scored again. Eli Palanuk wrapped up Sisters' scoring spree with a close-range left-handed shot with three minutes left on the clock. The Outlaws' defense held the Hilanders scoreless in the final quarter.
The Outlaws' defensive unit, including Hunter Lea, Justin Blake, and Cole Peters played solid and held Burns to just three goals in the contest. Goalie Lex Jefferey did his part with five saves.
Patton said, "Burns is a fun team to play because the spirit of the competition is friendly, and their coach, Rick Roy, is a really nice guy who just wants to see the kids enjoying the game and getting better."
Patton added, "What stood out for our team today was the balanced effort, with seven different players scoring, and boys moving from one position to another depending on what was needed."
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