Lady Dons Polo Advance to D1 State Championship

The Lady Dons continued their march to the CIF NorCal Championship Final with a comprehensive victory over the Davis HS Blue Devils on Thursday evening. In doing so, they took their season record to 26-0 and extended their winning streak, going back two years, to 53.

After starting slowly in the last few games, the Dons came ready to play and quickly got on the scoreboard with a deftly taken goal from Claire Rowell with what is becoming her trademark no look backhand, assisted with a pass in from Alana McCartney. Davis quickly pulled one back, but the Dons went further ahead when Mary Beth Heffelfinger pushed in a loose ball after a shot from Alex Mould was blocked by the Davis goalie. Another goal from Mary Beth Heffelfinger followed and then Jewel Roemer stole the ball from her opponent and cruised in on goal before putting the ball beyond the reach of the goalie. Davis managed to stop the flow with a goal of their own but the Dons finished the quarter strong with another goal from Rowell after a precise cross cage pass from Caroline Schirmer. It was 5-2 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter the Lady Dons moved through the gears and took total control, stifling the Davis attacks and scoring more goals from Rowell, Roemer, McCartney and Brooke Westphal. At half time it was 9-2 and the contest was as good as over. The second half proved to be low scoring with just one goal in the third quarter when Roemer scored after breaking fast and being found with a long pass from goalie Ava Donleavy. In the fourth quarter the Dons rotated through their squad and scored two further goals from Roemer and Heidi Heffelfinger. The final score was 12-3 putting the lady Dons through to the final on Saturday. Jewel Roemer scored four times with further goals from Claire Rowell (3), Mary Beth Heffelfinger (2), Alana McCartney, Heidi Heffelfinger, and Brooke Westphal. McCartney made two assists with others from Schirmer, Mould, Alexa Carter, Heidi and Mary Beth Heffelfinger. Rowell, Mould and Roemer each made two steals with others from McCartney, Mary Beth Heffelfinger and Elle Forschler. Ava Donleavy made five saves and Audrey Cox one.

The Dons will play for their first ever State Championship against Sacred Heart Prep at Independence HS in San Jose at 3.40pm on Saturday.