February 20th

For the 3rd year in a row, the Dons make the NCS Final Four!
Facing seed #10 Pinole Valley – surprising 2nd in their league (ACCAL) between D1 powers Berkeley and Richmond – Acalanes, seeded #2, knew that it would not be an easy game. With their status of outsiders, the Spartans didn’t have anything to lose and were expected to give everything to the end. If the first half was intense, with a few clear chances on both sides; neither team could find the opening. The answer came 5 minutes after the break for the Dons with a low shot from the eighteen by junior & co-captain Dylan Autran, following an intense pressure on the opposing defense. In the last 35 minutes of the game, the Dons tried but were unable to score a second goal but the defensive effort of the entire team did the rest. The Dons will now play a familiar opponent (and defending NCS champion) – Dublin – in the semifinals this Wednesday (7pm) at home.
Go Dons!
Frederic Autran