You sensed this was the moment. Victory was hanging in the balance with under five minutes to play. After a hard-fought, scoreless match at Campolindo on Saturday evening against the archrival Cougars, it all came down to a single set piece.

Caroline Tumilty raised her left arm, signaling her approach for a corner kick as rain and hail continued to pelt the field. She hit the ball beautifully, arcing upward into the stormy sky, then curving back down toward the goal where, upon its arrival back on earth, a mad scramble ensued. The initial shot hit the far post and caromed back across the box. As the assemblage of rain-soaked home and visiting fans held their collective breath, Tatum Walsh pounced on the opportunity, knocking a shot through for the first goal of the game—and glory for the Dons.

This is the moment that will be remembered for the Acalanes JV team, as it should be. But there was much to celebrate on this frigid January evening. There was Grace Eppinger using her speed and skill on numerous runs, winning corners and keeping constant pressure on the Cougar defense. There was Olivia Kemp creating transition opportunities after multiple defensive stops in the first half. There were breathtaking saves from keeper Maria Statnikova. There was Ella Culbertson and company putting up a veritable wall on defense. And there was, when it mattered most, the entire Dons team holding on to their 1-0 lead for a final four minutes that felt like an eternity.

As the final whistle blew and the cheers rang out, the Dons players celebrated, feeling not the cold nor the rain, but only the kind of joy that comes with a win for the ages.