This Wednesday evening, February 19, the ACA Women’s Varsity Soccer team traveled to downtown Walnut Creek to face their rivals AND League Co-Champions, the Las Lomas Knights, in the first round of NCS playoffs. It should be noted that when Acalanes faced this team last month, we were at quite a disadvantage with many players out due to a variety of respiratory illnesses and injuries, losing 3 – 1. We knew this would be a tough match, with keeper Melisa Adatepe on her toes right out of the gate to save a Knights’ shot on goal. A couple more Las Lomas crosses were broken up by the Dons defense and Adatepe.
Reese Tierney sent a through ball to Alex Salazar, whose attempt was dissolved by the Knights’ goalie. Tierney followed with a long ball to Nicole Nguyen in the corner, who dribbled up for a shot that was deflected wide right. Tori Hiatt sent another long one up to Salazar, whose shot was narrowly broken up by a Las Lomas defender. Thanks to our usual “wall” of a back line, Tatum Keely, Edie Berzansky, Cassidy Smith, and Hiatt, the Dons were able to keep sending the ball up for offensive attacks. Lucca DeBiasse sent a 30-yard rocket just over the crossbar, followed by a free kick into the box, a touch strong and out the baseline. Las Lomas made several presses, cut off first by Adatepe, then thwarted by Hiatt, followed by a Knights’ long ball, won and cleared by a racing Smith, and finally a Las Lomas shot over the crossbar.
DeBiasse, Tierney, and Lily Polkinhorn worked the midfield to get the ball to Salazar for another shot blocked by the keeper. Stella Hamilton fed a solid pass to Salazar but unfortunately this shot was scooped up by the Knights’ goalie. Livi Foster subbed in and got a run up the line, but was broken up by the defense, followed by another run by Hamilton again deflated by Las Lomas’ defense. The Knights got a shot off well over the crossbar, but the Dons responded with a Salazar breakaway that was unfortunately stopped by the LL defense. Hamilton made another run, passing back to Tierney for a lofting shot wide right of the net. Keely closed the first half with a free kick into the box caught by the Knights’ keeper.
The Knights opened up the second half passing around, moving the ball all the way up and sending a through ball, only to be cut off and cleared by a ready Keely. Berzansky sent a free kick to Polkinhorn, who megged a midfielder to get the ball to DeBiasse, but her pass up was blocked by the goalie. Another LL cross caught and shot saved, both by Adatepe. Keely and Hiatt continued to break up pretty much everything on the lines, while our Dons midfield and forwards kept up the offensive fight, with Taylor Mikalis sending a shot just wide left. Las Lomas pressed, winning the ball at midfield and sent a high shot just out of Adatepe’s reach, bouncing off the post inside for a Knights’ goal. More Las Lomas pressure was cut off and cleared by Smith, followed by a long ball back into the box stopped by Adatepe. Salazar sent a shot wide left, then the Knights took a free kick landing wide right of the goal. DeBiasse’s free kick was caught by the LL keeper, then Adatepe managed to prevent another Knights’ goal with a full extension block above her head! DeBiasse sent a long shot into the front left of the goal, partially blocked but with enough momentum to carry it into the net for GOAL #1 for the Dons! The Knights responded with a long ball chased down by Berzansky, then an LL breakaway but the shot was wide right, followed by a long ball into the box caught off the bounce by a ready Adatepe. Salazar closed out regulation play with another shot wide right.
With a tie game, the Dons and Knights went into sudden death overtime with 10 minutes on the clock, the first to score would be the victors! Las Lomas made a run broken up by a reliable Smith, followed by a Knights’ cross to their striker who shot it wide left. Mikalis sent a through ball to Nguyen, but kicked it a bit too strong and over the baseline. Polkinhorn passed back to Tierney for a long shot but it was retrieved by the goalie. DeBiasse got another shot off but wide right. Nguyen made a nice run, sending a cross to Polkinhorn, whose shot was deflected wide left by the Knights. In the stands we saw a corner opportunity, but the ref called time!
The Dons and Knights switched sides and came out for the second 10-minutes of overtime play. Nguyen took a beautiful shot so close over the crossbar that we all cheered for what we thought was a goal! Las Lomas took a free kick, crossing close to the wing but just out of bounds for a Dons’ goal kick. Hamilton took a shot just left that was again scooped up by the keeper. Nguyen and Salazar made a run towards the net that ended in a Knights’ goal kick. Keely sent a through ball to Nguyen, broken up by the goalie but led to a Dons’ corner. Nguyen’s kick was headed out by a Knight, closing out our 20 minutes of overtime.
After 100 minutes of play, the tied up Dons and Knights assembled for the final phase of competition, a penalty kick shootout! DeBiasse came out first for the Dons nailing the shot into the net for PK #1! The Knights responded with a successful goal kick. Salazar was up next, with a shot that seemed to freeze the keeper in place, scoring PK #2 for ACA. The Knights took their second shot, but Adatepe was ready with a dive and block out of the net! Mikalis took her turn and sent the ball into the upper right corner for PK #3 for the Dons! Las Lomas made their next shot, followed by another successful penalty kick by Hiatt for PK #4. The next and final Knight took her shot, only to be denied by our ever-ready Adatepe! The Dons WIN, 1-1(PK 4-2)!
Come support our amazing women Dons this Saturday night at 7PM when they take on the #1 seed Cougars at Carondelet for their quarterfinal match of the NCS Championship!