Acalanes JV soccer team kicked off 2026 in impressive fashion, defeating Atwater 2-1 in their first game back from winter break on Saturday afternoon at home.

The Dons wasted no time asserting their dominance, controlling possession and dictating the pace throughout the entire first half. The breakthrough came when Grant Cortez capitalized on the chaos in front of the box, heading in a well-placed corner kick from Noah Frankel, giving Acalanes an early lead.

Carrying the same offensive momentum into the second half, the Dons found the net again, when Luca Fazio displayed excellent finishing, sneaking the ball into the lower corner just beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

With a two-goal cushion, the Acalanes defense went to work. As Atwater turned up their offensive aggression, the backline remained organized and disciplined. Despite the visitors managing to pull one back, the Dons’ defensive effort proved too strong, preserving the victory.