Wednesday saw the Lady Dons’ most anticipated game of the season as local rivals, the Matadors of Miramonte, visited the Heaston Aquatic Center. Miramonte, like the Dons, boasted an unbeaten record coming into the game and brought a strong, experienced team. Over the last two seasons the Mats had given the Dons some of their toughest games and expectations were high for a fiercely contested game. The fans were not to be disappointed.

Miramonte won the sprint to start the game and attacked with intent but the Lady Dons defense held firm. The game went back and forward with both defenses looking strong and giving the attackers little space. After some crisp passing the Dons finally broke through when Claire Rowell converted after a pass in from Heidi Heffelfinger. Heffelfinger then made it two for the Dons from an assist by Carol Schirmer. The Dons continued to defend well with Ava Donleavy making some good blocks in the goal, but the Mats were not to be denied and finally they grabbed a goal. The Dons returned to the attack and were denied when a strong shot by Alex Mould was pushed onto the post by the Miramonte goalie. It was 2-1 Dons at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the intensity remain high with both defenses holding sway. Miramonte scored first to level the game before the Lady Dons hit back with goals from Rowell (assisted by Alana McCartney) and Heffelfinger (assisted by Mould) made it 4-2. Still Miramonte kept coming and eventually their pressure told when they were awarded a five meter penalty shot. It was 4-3 Dons at the half.

The Dons started the third quarter quickly and moved two goals clear when Rowell scored with a superb backhand after a pass in from Emma Miller. However, Miramonte kept coming and as the Acalanes starters began to tire, the Mats greater strength on the bench began to tell. The Mats pressed hard and scored three goals in succession, including another penalty shot, to give Miramonte the lead for the first time. The Dons rallied to level when Rowell scored her fourth after a pass in from Mould to make it 6-6 at the end of the third quarter.

The matchup was proving to be everything that had been expected, tough, feisty and close with a high standard of play. It was anybody’s game as the fourth quarter began. Perhaps the defining moment came when Heffelfinger was called for her third exclusion and fouled out. Miramonte scored from the resulting powerplay to take the lead for the first time. The Lady Dons had their backs to the wall and try as they did they could not tie the score. At the end, Miramonte were awarded a third five meter penalty shot to make the final score 8-6 to the Matadors. It had been a great game. The Dons had shown some great defense but at last the unbeaten run had come to an end. Final statistics showed four goals for Claire Rowell and two for Heidi Heffelfinger. Two assists for Alex Mould and one each for Alana McCartney, Heidi Heffelfinger, Emma Miller and Carol Schirmer. Alex Mould made five steals with two from Carol Schirmer and one each from Alana McCartney and Emma Miller. Alex Mould drew three exclusions with Alana McCartney and Heidi Heffelfinger each drawing two. Next game is home to Davis High School on Saturday.