The games are coming thick and fast for the Lady Dons and Saturday saw Davis High School visit the Heaston Aquatic Center. After their first loss in two years the Dons needed to get back on the bike and show a return to winning ways. Davis proved to be an ideal opponent, tough and feisty with more than a little skill, but ultimately not able to match the Dons slick passing, suffocating defense and rapid counter attacks.
The first quarter started with the Lady Dons at their best. Despite losing the starting sprint the Dons were soon on the attack and Claire Rowell scored the first goal of the game. More followed as Alana McCartney made it two before Heidi Heffelfinger drew and then converted a five meter penalty shot to make it 3-0 to the Dons. Davis responded and got on the score sheet converting a five meter penalty of their own. However, the Lady Dons just came back stronger and Emma Miller scored after a crisp passing move on a power play. Rowell got her second to make it five before Carol Schirmer added a sixth. It was 6-1 at the end of the first quarter and the Lady Dons had shown their class.
The game was all but won and the Lady Dons took the opportunity to take their foot off the gas. The game slowed down and the Dons rotated players in. The defense remained strong but the goals dried up as chances slipped by and passes didn’t go to hand. Davis pulled back two more goals in the second quarter with Claire Rowell scoring for the Dons. It was 7-3 to the Dons at half time.
The third quarter continued in the same vein as the second with few clear chances and the game becoming unstructured. Davis scored first before Acalanes responded with a fourth for Rowell. Rowell scored her fifth goal in the fourth quarter to make the final score 9-4 to Acalanes. Stats for the game were: five goals for Claire Rowell with one each for Alana McCartney, Heidi Heffelfinger, Emma Miller and Carol Schirmer. Heidi Heffelfinger, Emma Miller, Alex Mould and Claire Rowell all made one assist while Alex Mould made three steals with one each for Carol Schirmer and Sara Archer. Ava Donleavy made seven saves. The next game is at home to Las Lomas on Wednesday when we will be celebrating our seniors.