Walnut Creek, CA — The Acalanes Freshman Dons (13-0-1) fought through a tense, back-and-forth battle against Northgate on Saturday, ending in a hard-earned 2–2 draw after a frantic final stretch.

The game opened cautiously, with most of the action stuck in the midfield and few real threats near the box. The Don forwards worked tirelessly to create space early, nearly breaking through before a perfectly timed save by the Northgate keeper kept things scoreless. 

Despite steady pressure from Acalanes, the first half ended 0–0 in what was a physical, evenly matched contest. Both teams had flashes, including a booming 25-yard strike early in the second half that clipped the top of the netting, inches from putting the Dons ahead.

The breakthrough came seven minutes into the second half. After a foul just outside the box, captain winger Mason Foster stepped up and delivered a left-footed rocket into the far corner. The crowd had been calling for it and he delivered, giving Acalanes a 1–0 lead. Northgate responded with precision with a deep cross from the midfield found the right winger who crossed it in for a clean header to tie the match.

Shortly after that, the Dons were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box. Captain attacking midfielder Jonny Rubin calmly stepped up and buried it low and left to make it 2–1. But Northgate answered immediately, weaving through the defense straight off the restart to level the game at 2–2.

The final minutes were intense and physical. A late yellow card on Northgate set up one last free kick opportunity just outside the box, but time ran out before the Dons could find a winner. It was a gritty performance from Acalanes in a game that had everything: big saves, clutch goals, and nonstop intensity until the final whistle.

The freshman squad looks to complete their undefeated season Thursday against Mt. Diablo at home. #GoDons!