The night began with a ritual we hadn’t seen in over three weeks – Captains Tori Hiatt and Tatum Keely meeting at midfield with the referees and opposing captains.  The Lady Dons looked sharp in their new black uniforms, Acalanes blue numbers shining off their jerseys.  The team was hyped and ready to battle, knowing California High has a quick and skilled squad.

Ella Culbertson and Claire Hawkins joined the captains in the backfield, helping goalie Alexa Bantique protect the Aca goal.  Reese Tierney, Evelyn Lee, and Lily Polkinhorn worked the midfield, while Michela Barbano and Grace Eppinger ran the wings.  Stella Beuchotte worked the striker position against a strong California defense.

From kickoff, it appeared that the two teams were equally matched as there was quite a bit of back-and-forth play with some nice runs and ball movement on both sides.  Beuchotte, Barbano, Eppinger, and Polkinhorn had some nice passing for some runs up the wing and near opportunities in the box before the California defense or goalie broke them up.

The Acalanes defense held strong as well with a lot of clean run downs by Hiatt, Keely, Culbertson, and Hawkins, utilizing Bantique for plenty of clears.  Unfortunately, California struck on a long free kick that bounced around just inside the box, cleanly bouncing out to an open Cal High player who put it cleanly in the side net; 0-1.

Cassidy Smith subbed in for the back and was tested right away on defense, cleanly breaking up a Cal High attack to avoid a shot.  Tierney cleared out another challenge off a California corner kick.  Samantha Murdin and Danica Green provided some fresh legs up front and Murdin got the first Acalanes shot on goal, but the Cal High goalie scooped it up.  Lee had a strong shot that sailed high.  Unfortunately, as the Aca midfield and attack nicely worked the ball up front, a Cal High long clear found a streaking player up front who put a clean shot in the net; 0-2.

The second half started out strong with nice ball movement by the Dons.  Murdin, Beuchotte, and Hiatt (coming out of the back) put together some nice attacks with clean crosses and shots, but the ball just couldn’t find the net.  Unfortunately, California managed another quick counterattack that found a player for a clean shot into the goal; 0-3.

Despite the score in favor of California, the Lady Dons never let up and kept pressing.  They kept up the nice ball movement and challenges they had been showing all game.  They were rewarded when Murdin went on the attack and was taken down in the box.  Acalanes got a penalty shot that Beuchotte beautifully placed on the opposite side of the diving goalie; on the board at 1-3.

The half progressed with more back-and-forth play and strong challenges on both sides.  Eventually, California found themselves on the board again on a clear corner kick that resulted in a one-touch deflection into the net; 1-4.  Goalie Maria Statnikova subbed in and immediately had to make a diving save.  Green, Caroline Tumilty, Grace Colaco, and Kate Uffelman put together some strong offensive work and runs up the line.  Avery DeMent and Sierra Goyert defended with heart and held California from any further challenges.

The Lady Dons are eager to take on Northgate Thursday at home for their first league match of the season!  Come on out and show your support!