Thursday, February 8, the Acalanes Women’s Varsity traveled to Mt. Diablo High School to take on the Red Devils. Not only was this their last league game of the season, but it was also Mt Diablo’s Seniors’ Night, where our Senior Dons were kindly recognized with red roses alongside the Senior Red Devils during halftime.
From the start the Dons’ offense commanded the field. Reiney Fish opened with a couple of solid shots on goal. Though Tori Hiatt and Tatum Keely were ready and able, our midfielders allowed few opportunities for them to help on defense. Zoya Acuna had multiple drives downfield, a nice shot attempt, and several crosses, but unfortunately no Don was available to close the deal. Megan Yee launched a nice corner and Hiatt shot a ball just over the crossbar, but still no score. It would be Stella Hamilton who set up Kailee Van Handel to score the Dons’ first goal of the night! Yee wasted no time crossing to Ella Thomason who headed the ball just wide of the post. Sisi Houston followed up with a clean cross to Livi Foster who megged a Red Devil to score goal #2. Fish along with Leila Hamidi continued to hold the midfield line against the Devils, then Houston delivered the ball to Melisa Adatepe (did I forget to mention that this keeper was pulled out of the goal to play center forward?) who kicked a perfect ball between the goalie’s head and the crossbar to score another one for Acalanes. More downfield drives and great crosses by Acuna, more tenacious play by Fish in the midfield, and another pass by Houston to Adatepe for almost another shot on goal would close out the first half, Dons 3, Red Devils nil.
The Dons opened up the second half with our usual defense playing offense and vice versa, keeper Sara Tarnai stepping out of the net, replaced by striker Taylor Mikalis stepping in as goalie, to play center forward. Acuna sent a cross, intercepted by a Red Devil, immediately taken back by Fish who scored goal #4. On defense, Avery DeMent overcame two Devils to get the ball downfield to Acuna, who passed to Sara Tarnai who sent the ball just wide of the left goalpost. Acuna was relentless with another cross, 2 corner kicks, but no goal. Just under the 2 minute mark, Acuna sent yet another pass to Tarnai who scored goal #5 to end the night, Dons 5, Red Devils zero.
The Varsity Women Dons will host their NCS First Round game on Tuesday, February 13th at 5pm vs Benicia. This will be a rematch, as the Dons beat the Panthers 1-0 earlier in the season. The Dons could use everyone’s support in the stands as they look to beat the Panthers again and extend their postseason run. Let’s go, Dons!
