On an unseasonably cool April evening Tuesday night the Acalanes boy’s varsity lacrosse team took on College Park in their last home game of the season. The game got off to a fast start with a goal from Simon Appel followed quickly by another from Brody Darin. College Park retaliated with their first goal at the end of the first quarter to bring the score to 2-1 Dons.
The second quarter was the Brody Darin show with 2 more goals from the junior attack who would complete a hat trick by the half. But College Park came back once again (scratch that twice again!) scoring 2 quick goals in succession to keep the game tight at the half, 4-3 Acalanes.
The Dons looked sharp coming out at halftime and in the third quarter the fans were treated to one of the sweetest plays of the season. The offense pulled off a “hidden ball play” that tricked College Park and confused 9 out of 10 fans in the stands. In the play, Simon Appel sold a fake pass to Brody Darin who faked catching the ball, cradling it and running across the middle of the field. The College Park defense took the bait and pursued Darin, leaving Appel, still with the ball, to launch a back-door shot that caught the goalie off guard and hit the back of the net. The confused fans cheered and even the refs looked baffled. The trick play was followed up by a fantastic goal from senior Nate Murphy and a final goal from Griffin Rotundo with a sweet assist again from Nate Murphy, helping the Dons stretch their lead. The boys held College Park to just one goal in the quarter, finishing the third 7-4.
The fourth quarter saw a goal from Simon Appel and despite a string of penalties and some time in the box, the Dons’ defense shut out College Park in the fourth to bring home the 8-4 victory.
Outstanding performances from goalie Val Grossi who had an impressive 12 saves, Nate Murphy on offense, and Collin Malmquist who was unrelenting on defense with several loose ball pick ups. Nice job boys, let’s ride this W into one last victory Friday night at Miramonte! Let’s goooooo, Dons!
