The Acalanes JV Girls Lacrosse team dominated in 2023 and have begun their quest to do it again in 2024. This team is comprised of all new starters. The Coaches Steve Seiler and Scott Stafford did not know just how good they were or could be, but these young, inexperienced and scrappy Lady Dons proved that they will be a tough match for any team this year.

The first game was out in Dougherty Valley against a fairly inexperienced DV team. The Dons won the game 18 to 1 and it really was not nearly that close. The Dons beat DV at every aspect of the game jumping out to a 7 to 0 lead in the first 5 minutes of the game. All of those players in attendance (35) got some playing time. The team was incredible with the starters basically playing less than one half. From the midfield Grace Eppinger scored four goals and had three assists as well as four ground balls controlled; Maya Stafford had three goals and four loose balls controlled; Kate Uffelman had a goal, four assists and six loose balls; Taylor Mikalis began as she had left off gathering many loose balls and scoring. From the attack, second year player and captain Christina Hageboeck scored three goals, had two assists and two ground balls; Samantha Swift had a goal and two ground balls; freshman Kate Beaver, Ella Culberston and Cate Mercier (first game or scrimmage ever! 2 goals) scored at least one goal, had several assists and ground balls. Other offensive highlights came from Addie Mcshane, Katelyn Weiss (first year player), Sela Serbiewski (first year player), Lucy Thomas and Stella Degroot (first year player). The Defense was almost perfect with Goalies Sarah Hession and Addison Mandell leading a fantastic group of defenders that included Maddie Obertello, Julia Lyons, Emme Martin, Zoe Braunstein and a host of new players including Svea Staino, Persephone Quine, Ruby Bogan, Taryn Stevenson, Yali Avrahami, Kinneri Vivek, Eloise Greeson and others! The game was totally dominated by Dons and was a fantastic way to start the season.

The Second Game was supposed to be much more difficult as the Lady Dons were playing against an really tough team from Cal High. However, once again these young Dons answered the call and won the game 14-5 while never trailing in the game. It was the first home game of the season and a memorable one. The coaches could not believe the hustle by these new and intense players. Cal High was really fast and really skilled but the Dons were significantly more so. The hard work, ball movement and just plain grit by these girls was a wonderful site to see. They were not going to be denied. While not every player got to play the Lady Dons did play 28 players in this game. Some of the offensive highlights include three goals and two assists by Maya Stafford, three goals and two ground balls by Grace Eppinger, a beautiful goal by Addie McShane, two goals on two shots by Cate Beaver, three goals by Ella Culbertson, Kate Uffelman with a goal and more ground balls and a goal and an assist by Christina Hageboeck. On defense Goalie Sara Hession had her very best game as a Don continually stopping some fantastic shots by Cal High. Returning defenders and midfielders, Reiney Fish, Eddie Berzansky and Reese Westphal along with defenders Maddie Obertello, Emme Martin, Kaitlynn Weiss and Zoe Braunstein had great games. Although the game was closer then the final score indicated many of the new players got an opportunity to play against some incredible competition. This was a very big win for this young team and proves that they can beat anyone!

Come check on the running JV Lady Lacrosse Dons on Tuesday night again one of the bay areas best teams from San Marin. GOOOOOO DONS!