The Dons kicked off the first round of the playoffs with a decisive victory over Pinole Valley High School. The Spartans were playing a high offsides trap, but it didn’t take long for the Dons to figure it out and start scoring. The first goal of the night was scored six minutes after kickoff by senior Natalie Means, unassisted, with a skillful dribble and easy finish. The next goal was another easy finish by Means, this time from a well-placed cross by junior Addie Bailey. Means and Bailey teamed up again for the third goal, earning Means the hat trick. With just over 10 minutes left in the first half, junior Emmi Cronin scored a beautiful header, assisted by junior Cam Salazar on the corner kick play. The Dons finished out the first half with yet another goal, this time by junior Sophi MacKay, who pulled off a great shot even while colliding with the Spartan defender, with Salazar assisting again. The Dons went into halftime with a 5-0 lead.

The Dons kept the goals coming in the second half. Freshman Alex Salazar scored with 28 minutes left in the game when she floated the ball over the goalie’s head when the goalie came off her line. The final goal of the match was scored by freshman Taylor Mikalis, assisted by sophomore Megan Yee. The Dons were in the fortunate position for every single uninjured player on the roster to have significant playing time in this first round NCS playoff game.

The Dons look to keep the momentum going in their NCS quarterfinal matchup this weekend. Go Dons!