Wednesday December 12th marked the much anticipated opening of the Acalanes Women’s soccer season with the Varsity Dons facing Windsor at home. Our opponents came out strong, but right from the start keeper Sara Tarnai fended off a goal attempt, backed by ready defense from Edie Berzansky, Sisi Houston, Cassidy Smith, and Tori Hiatt. An impressive header by Berzansky cleared out a Windsor challenge. Downfield, Nicole Nguyen made a solid cross to Taylor Mikalis for a shot on goal that unfortunately didn’t find net, immediately followed by a feed from Leila Hamidi to Alex Salazar, whose shot was just wide of the goal post. This was quickly followed by another close shot by Salazar.
Unfortunately, at about the 20-minute mark, Windsor put a ball in the net for the first goal of the night. Our midfield kept up the fight with Lily Polkinhorn, Reese Tierney, and Hamidi. On offense Nguyen had a shot on goal just wide, followed by another shot by Salazar. Houston, Hiatt, and Berzansky kept up the defensive fight enabling Polkinhorn to feed DeBiasse for another shot on goal. Smith and Hiatt closed out the first half with unrelenting defense, including preventing a free kick attempt on goal by Windsor.
The second half opened strong for the Dons with more impressive defensive play by Smith & Hiatt, which allowed Hiatt to feed balls to both Salazar and Elodie Jensen. Unfortunately, Acalanes was still unable to score that elusive first goal. After Windsor took the ball downfield, keeper Tarnai had another save. Our offense wasted no time with Salazar driving downfield with a cross to Polkinhorn who had yet another attempt on goal. Windsor got another free kick opportunity, which was well defended by Jensen.
Around 14 minutes into the second half, DeBiasse sent a clean pass to Salazar, who finally closed the deal for the Dons with a beautiful shot in the corner pocket to tie up the game. The Dons kept up their energy on the field with free kicks from Polkinhorn & DeBiasse, tenacious midfield play by Nguyen, Livi Foster, and Avery DeMent. An amazing downfield drive by Dani Green resulted in a corner attempt for Acalanes, followed by a beautiful cross by Green unfortunately without a Don in position to score a goal. Tierney, DeMent, and Berzansky showed great midfield and defensive play. Nguyen drove the ball again on offense, and keeper Melisa Adatepe had a close save, which brought this game to a close with Windsor and Acalanes tied 1 – 1.
The Dons travel to Santa Rosa this Saturday, December 7th to face Cardinal Newman High School. GO DONS!