In a rivalry match that felt far tighter than the final score, the Acalanes Freshman Dons (9-0) erupted for four goals in a ten-minute stretch of the second half to shut out crosstown rival Campolindo, 4–0. Midfielder David “The Machine” Penn (#17) led the charge, earning “Man of the Match” honors from his teammates after scoring twice, including a stunning long-range strike.
The first half belonged to Acalanes in every way but the scoreboard. The Dons controlled possession, kept the Cougars pinned in their own half, and generated seven shots on goal while Campolindo managed none. But the Campo goalkeeper stood tall, and Acalanes struggled to find rhythm in the final third. Despite the dominance, the teams went into halftime locked in a scoreless draw.
“At halftime we realized they were very structured defensively,” said Coach Maggio, Acalanes head coach. “It let us move the ball, but it also made us a little lazy. Our focus in the second half was to move it quicker, stay wider, and be more aggressive.”
The adjustment paid off almost immediately.
A little over 9 minutes into the second half, a corner kick bounced dangerously around the box. Penn pounced on the free ball and one-timed a shot into the left side of the net to break the deadlock.
Moments later, Mason Foster (#11) burst down the right side and was taken down in the box to draw the penalty. Jonny Rubin (#9) stepped up and calmly buried the ball in the left corner, doubling the lead.
The floodgates were open.
Two minutes later, Sam Chamberlain (#19) danced past a defender on the left, was knocked down, popped back up, and whipped a cross into the middle. A wide-open Ben Ferber (#8) was there to clean it up for the third.
Then “the Machine” delivered the exclamation point. From 25 yards out, he launched an emphatic rocket to the top right corner, over the outstretched hands of the talented Campolindo goalkeeper. The world-class banger put the Dons up 4-0.
Acalanes never let up as Campolindo was stymied at every turn. Makai Ramsey (#21), Luke Fratarcangeli (#3) and Logan Lewis (#10) anchored the back line with composure. Even as the clock wound down into extra time, Acalanes pressed with the same intensity.
“We were upset we didn’t score in the first half,” said winger and midfielder Keegan Aldridge. “In the second half we came out aggressive.”
Next up for the undefeated Dons is a clash with Northgate at Acalanes High School on 1/22. Kickoff is at 4pm. #GoDons!
