By Ryker Burr00
For The New Era
Sweet Home began its league-season on a disappointing note, losing all three of the Huskies’ opening Oregon West Conference matchups in mercy-rule fashion.
Senior and captain Anabelle Morris managed to score the team’s lone goal on the week, doing so in the first half against Newport.
After losses to Philomath, Newport, and North Marion, Sweet Home will be asked to play a game of catch-up if they want a chance to make any noise in the district.
Head Coach Ramiro Santana summarized the challenges that come from playing in such a competitive league–one that contains three top-12 teams in the state: “We are underdogs in one of the best leagues in the state. We need to never give up.”
Goalkeeper and captain Lyndie Birkett is currently in concussion protocol after Tuesday’s first half against Newport. Sophomore Rylee Mabe has filled in for Birkett since she was forced off the field.
“We don’t know when she’ll be back. We are waiting for her to be cleared by a doctor,” Santana stated.
He added on: “We will bounce back if we get all our girls back healthy. We have four to five girls hurt right now.”
The Green and Gold will look to get back on track this week against league-rivals Stayton and Cascade. Stayton checks in ranked 12th in the state, while Cascade is placed 27th (Sweet Home is 29th). The Huskies’ matchup against the Cougars will be at home, 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4.