The match everyone in Lamorinda looks forward to every year! The Acalanes Dons vs. the Campolindo Cougars. Last year, Acalanes beat Campo each time the two teams met, but you never know what will happen when these two dynamic teams match up. The stands were packed and the cheering was loud as the first whistle blew!
Campo started off with a speedy sprint, but when the Cougars shot the ball, goalie Adelyn Horciza was ready and made her first block of the game! On the next play, the Dons got the ball into Finley Graff who sent the ball to the back of the cage with authority to give the Dons a 1-0 lead. The Cougars tried again, but Adelyn had an epic block from the corner and juniors Malin Stone and Lily Briones teamed up to gain possession of the ball and sent the ball back down when Finley Graff scored goal #2. On the next play, Lily Briones made a great field block that led to a stellar steal by Adelyn Horciza. Campo was waiting for their chance to pounce and stole the ball and scored to get themselves on the board, 2-1. Lily Briones returned with her own goal on the next play and when Campo reclaimed the ball, Adelyn pushed the ball under to get it back for the Dons. A great throw and a explosive backhand from Finley Graff gave the Dons a 3-goal lead. As the quarter was ending, Malin Stone lined up an outside shot and shot it with authority to end the quarter 5-1 Dons.
Quarter two started with another fast spring by Campo, but a quick steal by Malin Stone gave the call to Acalanes. The Dons weren’t able to find the back of the net, so Campo took the ball up the pool and were stopped by a great block by Adelyn Horciza. A bit of fiesty bobble ball ended up back in the hands of the Cougars which they capitalized on bringing the score to 5-2. Campo adjusted their defense which made it hard for the Dons to find the back of the cage, but at the end of the quarter, the score was 5-3.
The Dons had a good half time talk and were ready to go the second half. Campo was able to score first, but sophomore Anika Rehn slid a great skip shot under ther goalie’s arm to get the Acalanes crowd back on their feet! The rest of the quarter looked like a game of capture the flag with steals and sprints on repeat. Adelyn stayed strong in the cage and Malin Stone stuck one in the twine to bring the score to 7-4. Campo used the last 37 seconds and managed to get one more before the quarter ended.
The final quarter started off with several great blocks by Adelyn Horicza, including preventing a backhand from set. Campo refused to give up and kept shooting, scoring one and bringing the game within a goal! The Dons stepped up their defense and made several great attempts before Malin Stone found the back of the cage to increase the lead to 8-6 with a minute and a half left to play. Adelyn continued to block everything camp sent her way and with 47 seconds to go, Acalanes called a timeout and set up a new play that caught everyone by surprised, but ended up with a goal from Lily Briones to bring the score 9-6 Acalanes. Campo made one last attempt, but Adelyn blocked it and when the final buzzer rang, Acalanes claimed the victory!
What’s Up Next for the Dons?
Come cheer on the Dons at HOME on Saturday, October 10th
10am Acalanes vs. Leland
1pm Acalanes vs. Monte Vista