The sun was shinning bright on Saturday. The Dons were feeling good as they got ready to take on Campo once again. Last Wednesday, the Acalanes Dons beat Campo and earned the DAL League title. Now it was the NCS championship they had their sights on.
Quarter one started off with a great sprint by freshman Anika Rehn and the Dons had the first possession. Campo pounced quickly and got excluded giving Acalanes their first powerplay of the game. The girls knew just what to do and passed the ball around until junior Finley Graff saw an opportunity and sunk the ball into the twine and getting the Dons on the scoreboard. Campo responded with a goal of their own to tie the game 1-1. Campo kept their momentum going and scored another goal to gain the lead. On the next play, senior Ella Del Rosario earned a penalty shot and tied the game 2-2. The Cougars pounced back with another goal of their own to regain the lead. The Dons continued to fight back and sophomore Malin Stone saw a great shot from the top and stuck the ball in the back of the cage to tie up the game 3-3 as the quarter came to an end.
The second quarter started with a false start by Campo so Acalanes gained possession. The Cougars were holding strong but junior goalie Adelyn Horciza was stronger and blocked goal after goal. Acalanes earned another powerplay and this time senior Sara Williams drilled the ball in the goal to regain the lead for the Dons. Campo had a few opportunities of their own but couldn’t convert. As the clock was winding down, Sara Williams worked her magic again from the wing and sent another one into the twine giving Acalanes a 5-3 lead going into halftime.
Both teams were ready to start the second half and the sprint went back and forth with Campo ending up with the ball. Adelyn made a great block and on the next play, Ella Del Rosario earned another penalty shot, which she made, to give the Dons a 3-goal lead. Campo had several attempts on goal, but Adelyn continued her strong defense and on the final play of the quarter, freshman Anika Rehn took the ball in for a beautiful goal of her own. The quarter ended with the Dons leading 7-3.
The fourth quarter started with another great sprint by Anika Rehn to give the Dons the ball. The name of this quarter was defense because nither team was able to score. The goalies were standing tall and made great blocks and when the time ran out, the Acalanes Dons were heading to the NCS finals!
The Dons have another team of cougars to cage as they face the Carondelet Cougars next
Saturday November 15th!