First off a shout out to the JV Women Dons Soccer team for a very impressive shutout of the Cougs Thursday evening. I enjoyed the write-up, and I too am hoping for a 4th season of Ted Lasso!

Last Thursday was also the much anticipated rematch between the Acalanes Varsity Women and Campolindo. As expected, this was a very physical and action packed game, with both sides giving it their all. Unfortunately, Campo took the Dons by surprise, netting a ball within the first 90 seconds of the game. Undaunted, the Dons played on with the relentless defense of Demi Woods, Leila Hamidi, and Edie Berzansky who blocked the Cougars from scoring another goal. Tatum Keely was seemingly everywhere defending the Dons, blocking another goal attempt by the Cougs. Reese Tierney showcased her usual tenacious midfield play, and keeper Melisa Adatepe had 2 saves early on. Multiple breakaways by Megan Yee, Tori Hiatt, and Nicole Nguyen went out or were called offsides. Lucca DeBiasse and Tierney both had nice shots on goal, and the Dons’ first corner kick of the game came close, but still no score. Keely blocked another Campo shot on goal, more great defense by Woods and Hamidi, and several more saves by Adatepe. The Dons welcomed back Alex Salazar to the pitch, who, along with Ella Thomason, Tierney & Hamidi, kept up the fight in the midfield. Nguyen and Sisi Houston both had great shots on goal before a questionable foul call in the box set the Cougs up for a PK, closing out the first half with Campo goal #2.

The Dons came out fighting in the second half with Salazar taking a shot on goal, followed by a free kick by DeBiasse just over the crossbar. Hamidi, Berzansky, Hiatt & Woods kept working hard on defense, and Adatepe saved a free kick by the Cougs. More solid offense by Yee and Nguyen, a nice sideline breakaway by Livi Foster, and another shot attempt by Salazar before Campo scored their third goal of the game. It wouldn’t be long after that Stella Hamilton had an amazing drive downfield, setting up Taylor Mikalis to score the Dons’ first and only goal of the night. As the minutes ticked down, the Dons’ defense didn’t give in, with Berzansky, Keely, & Woods holding the line, and 3 more saves by keeper Adatepe. DeBiasse and Tierney continued to work  the midfield and Salazar had another beautiful shot just wide of the goal post. Despite the Dons’ teamwork, the second half closed with yet another goal by Campolindo, bringing the final score to 4 – 1. And to add injury to insult, an Acalanes defender suffered a dramatic injury in the waning seconds of the game.

On Tuesday, the Dons will make the short trip to Orinda to take on Miramonte at 7pm. Let’s go, Dons!