In an eagerly anticipated match-up after last season’s close NCS loss to Northgate, Acalanes Girls Varsity Lacrosse found redemption with a convincing 11-6 victory over the Broncos. The Dons outscored the Broncos and played strong team defense throughout the game, despite the Broncos employing a rougher, more physical style of play than Acalanes has seen from other opponents this season. Going into halftime, the Dons led with a score of 6-1. An increasingly desperate Northgate squad managed a handful of goals in the second half, but the Dons kept their offensive pace and maintained their 5-goal lead at the end of the game.

Grace Imrie led the Dons in impressive fashion scoring 5 goals on 5 shots, having 5 draw controls and controlling a team high 7 loose balls. Megan Churchill scored 3 over the heads of the Bronco defenders, Haley Rurka scored 2 important foul shots in the second half, and Maya Wang rounded out the scoring with 1 finding the back of the net. Rurka and Ella Thomason helped on offense with one assist each. Wang was also impressive on the draw circle with 3 draw controls. In addition to Imrie’s efforts, the Dons took a team approach to controlling loose balls with Thomason grabbing 3 and Churchill, Rurka, Cate Condy, Avery Ives, Kelly Todhunter, and Lucy Gellman getting one each. The Dons’ defense held strong all game long, including highlight-worthy runs up the field with the ball by Ives and Todhunter and goalie Addie Martin tallying 8 saves on 14 shots on goal.

Come support the Dons this week as they take on Bishop O’Dowd at home on Tuesday at 7pm and Alhambra at home on Friday at 7pm. Go Dons!