The boys in blue matched up against formidable Northgate and Mt. Diablo teams last week to conclude their regular season. The Dons traveled to Walnut Creek on Tuesday night and again controlled the ball much of the game but were challenged to find the back of the net. The match featured plenty of jostling and pushing between the two squads.  The Northgate medical team made several trips on and off the field and two Dons had to leave the match with injuries.  Finally, with about 6 minutes left, junior Colby Ebner nudged the ball forward in a crowd about 25 yards in front of the goal and fellow junior Niko White took control of the ball and deftly evaded the oncoming Northgate goalie before putting the ball in the net.  The Dons then withstood a furious offensive push by the Broncos that included their heavy-footed goalie coming up to join the attack. Nevertheless, the Dons defense held up and Coach Curtis’ boys went home with a 1-0 victory.  Simon Appel was named “Man of the Match” for his continued steady play on the back line. 

Two nights later, the Dons hosted the high-flying Mt. Diablo Red Devils in the regular season finale. Once again, the Dons had the upper hand in the first half as they crisply moved the ball around with short passes but were never able to punch it in. Late in the first half, the Dons fans gasped as junior forward Ben Pecci sent a rocket that just glanced off the left post. The Dons also had scoring opportunities off several corner kicks but couldn’t garner a score. The Red Devils got on the scoreboard with 8 minutes left in the first half off a long free kick that landed in front of the goal and was nudged in. About midway through the second half, Dons knocked in what appeared to be the game-tying goal only to have it nullified on a close offside call. Mt. Diablo’s striker then broke free for a second goal with 16 minutes left to put the Dons in a hole. However, the Acalanes squad continued to make strong offensive pushes but the match ended with the 2-0 deficit.  Senior Lucian Krage-Zillas was named “Man of the Match” for the second time in three matches as he battled a swarm of Red Devils in the midfield and routinely came out with the ball. 

The Dons move into the NCS playoffs this Tuesday, Feb 13th, 7pm at HOME vs. Piner High. Let’s all don some blue and come out to support this talented squad as they hope to make a deep run in the NCS playoffs over the next two weeks.