On Saturday evening, the Acalanes Varsity Women traveled to Moraga in the driving rain to face Campolindo for a friendly match. Although not an official league game, many Campo and Acalanes families and fans hunkered down under their umbrellas to support these committed athletes! From the beginning, it was clear that the Cougars and Dons were well matched in skills and tenacity. With Campolindo defenders playing a high line, it didn’t take long for the Dons to get called offside. Luckily keeper Melisa Adatepe was there to save the Cougars’ first free kick on goal. Tatum Keely led the Dons defense with assistance from Avery Ives & Taylor Mikalis. Stella Hamilton had a nice drive towards the net, followed by a corner kick from Megan Yee. Keely was steadfast, preventing a breakaway Cougar ball from reaching the net. Sisi Houston had her own breakaway but was unfortunately stopped by a clean Campo slide tackle. Midway through the first half Yee launched a beautiful shot on goal but still no score. More efforts on offense with Ella Thomason passing to Houston but once again the Dons called offsides. Demi Woods &  Leila Hamidi defended the midfield, Hamidi megging a Cougar driving towards the goal. Adatepe was inadvertently “attacked” by a goal-hungry Cougar but still made the save! Campo would have 2 more corner kicks with near goals blocked by Woods and Keely. Adatepe had another save before the Cougars reloaded and scored the first goal of the night with 10 minutes before halftime. Acalanes kept up the defensive fight with Reese Tierney, Edie Berzansky, & Hamidi. Livi Foster drove the ball downfield and sent a cross towards the net, followed by Hamilton’s shot from right wing, but the Dons couldn’t get on the board. Woods and Keely closed out the first half with solid defense, Cougars 1, Dons nil.

Despite it raining even harder, the Dons and Cougars came out fighting for another 40 minutes in slick and sloppy conditions. On offense, Hamilton came out strong with another attempt from right wing and downfield drives towards the net. When the Cougars stole the ball, it would be Yee and Woods consistently keeping up the defensive pressure. Keely took a turn on offense sending a free kick almost into the net. More relentless play from Berzansky with a clean slide tackle, Woods with a defensive header, and Adatepe would have multiple more saves. Yee, Tierney, & Keely kept up the defensive pressure. Mikalis stole the ball, preventing another goal by Campo. More saves by Adatepe and offensive attacks on goal by Mikalis, Tierney, Foster, and Thomason would close out the match with the score remaining Campolindo 1, Dons zero.

Come support our Varsity Women this Tuesday 1/16 at 7PM at College Park when the Dons take on the Falcons!