It was cold in Soquel on Saturday!  Leaving sunny Lafayette, many fans were not prepared for the weather change, but the JV girls were ready for anything – even back-to-back games!  This was a first, but the girls were up for the challenge.  

First game against RLS High School, 2pm: In the first quarter, Jess G won the sprint, Sadie H scored on Kylie K’s assist right away.  Santana T and Erin L both had steal-and-score moments, putting Aca up 3-0. After Lilah K was kicked out, the Stevenson team scored on the power play. Erin L had another shot that went high, Jess G was called for a kickout, and Santana T assisted Sadie H for a score (4-1).  Santana T and Audrey M worked together on a steal leading to a score by Audrey M (5-1).  Erin L was kicked out, but no matter as Audrey M assisted to Lilah K for the goal (6-1). Amayel G assisted to Lily T for another score (7-1).  Goalie Mave M came out for a long shot to end the quarter – it was short.  

Jess G won the sprint to start Q2, but her shot was blocked.  Cade M had a wide shot, but had a steal, as did Santana T. Jess G’s shot was blocked, and Cade M had a 5-meter shot, but apparently did not throw the ball properly?  Whatever – she looked GREAT. Stevenson scored (7-2). Erin L’s power play shot was blocked but Ella S’ assist to Kelsey G resulted in a goal (8-2). Cade M was kicked out, but Jess G scored on a goalie swim out (9-2).  Mave blocked a shot, Jess G shot high on a power play, but Lily T scored (10-2)!  Kelsey G had a steal and Jess G scored (11-2)! The quarter ended with a goalie swim out and score for Stevenson (11-3).

Kelsey G won the sprint in Q3, and Amayel G had a steal and shot that went off the post. Kelsey G’s shot was blocked but recovered by Ella S.  Audrey M’s shot went off the post.  Lily T recovers the ball and her shot goes in (12-2)!  Amayel had another steal, and Lily T continued firing shots that went off the post unfortunately.  Ella S recovered one rebound and scored (13-3)! Kelsey G was kicked out, Amayel G had a steal, Lily T’s shot was blocked, Kelsey G had another kickout, but Mave M went on a shot-blocking rampage, denying three shots by Stevenson in a row!  Lily T had one more shot blocked to end the quarter.  

Erin L won the Q4 sprint and scored (14-3)!  Jess G had a steal, Stevenson’s shot went wide, Kylie K scores (15-3)!  Cade steals, Audrey attempted a steal from behind, Mave blocked a shot. Ella assist to Lily for a score (16-3) Amayel with a steal, Audrey’s shot was blocked, their shot was wide, and Mave had a strong block to finish the game with a resounding win 16-3. It’s wonderful to see so many players contributing to the team’s success! GO DONS!

Game 2 vs Soquel, 3pm

Unfortunately for the Dons, playing a very aggressive team RIGHT after finishing a game, with no rest, did not go as well as we hoped. Our girls fought HARD, and mounted several comebacks, but unfortunately fell short. 

Q1 – Jess wins the sprint, assist to Erin for a score (1-0)! Erin had a steal, Kylie’s shot was blocked but recovered by Santana, whose shot was also blocked. Soquel’s shot went off the post, Erin’s shot was blocked, Kylie kicked out. Soquel’s shot went off post, but the next one went in (1-1). Santana’s shot was blocked, their shot off post, Mave blocks their rebound, they score (1-2). Erin’s shot was blocked, Mave blocked one, but two got past her (1-4). Mave blocked again, their next shot went high.  Santana scored (2-4), and their shot went wide to end the Q.

Q2 – Jess won the sprint but lost the ball, Santana kicked out, their 5-meter shot went wide! Santana and Kylie both had steals, Lilah takes a shot to the face, says she’s ok and stays in and keeps playing (BEAST MODE)!  Santana had a shot on the double team, off the post.  Erin had a steal, recovered by Soquel for a score (2-5).  Lilah’s shot was blocked.  

Q3 – Soquel wins the spring, Kylie attempted a steal, they score (2-6).  Erin L answers with a score of her own (3-6)! Amayel steals, Lily’s shot goes off the post but Erin recovers and scores (4-6 don’t call it a comeback!). On Soquel’s next shot, Sadie got a piece of it, and Mave blocked it. Our shot was blocked, and Soquel scored twice (4-8).  Their Hail Mary shot was blocked to end the Q. 

Q4 – Jess continues her sprint domination. Erin’s shot was blocked but their goalie knocked it in (thanks!), Aca 5-8. Dons and Soquel traded goals, Erin scored for us, they scored twice (6-10).  Erin’s next shot was blocked on a power play, but Santana scores (7-10).  They answered (7-11).  Cade’s shot went off the post, Audrey was kicked out (though her hands were out of the water the whole time). Cade had a breakaway score (8-11) and Ella showed some strong defense to end the game.  

Normally I wouldn’t highlight kickouts, but I wanted to in this instance – our girls got a LOT of them.  Aca did NOT have many power plays in either game if you get my drift. Regardless, I think this loss was something to be proud of – playing right after a previous game with no rest, and LOTS of calls on our girls made the win a tough get.  They fought hard despite odds being stacked against, and we are so proud of them for their efforts and teamwork!  GO DONS!!!!

Next game 7pm vs LL at Acalanes.  See you there!