The Amador Valley Lady Dons are on a roll after winning two of their last three games against some tough competition. On Thursday, January 5, the Dons beat an overwhelmed Dublin team by a score of 3-0. On Thursday, January 12, they took one on the chin with a 2-0 loss to a very strong Monte Vista team. And then, in the most exciting game so far in the season, the girls beat cross-town rivals, Foothill by a score of 1-0. This brings the Amador record to an even 4 wins and 4 losses.

In the first contest against Dublin, Amador had the run of play in the first half with very little pressure from the Dublin squad. Despite several good opportunities, the Dons were unable to score a goal in the first half while maintaining a good defensive position. The Dons turned up the pressure at the start of the second half striving to score the critical first goal – and in the 50th minute, it happened. Amador earned a corner kick which was served into the box by Sam Frost. Abbie Fried was able to track it down and get her head onto it and past the Dublin goalkeeper. Only 5 minutes later, Amador’s Lorna Roberts took a crossing pass from Fried (who had received a pass from Shenyce Hunsaker) and booted it in for the second goal of the game. The Amador defense continued to hold Dublin at bay. Credit to the entire Amador back line for keeping some speedy Dublin forwards from getting the ball on frame – especially Julie Gonsman who chased down some close Dublin breakaways down the side. Finally, Amador put the game away as Sydney Devor scored her first goal of the season late in the game – again from an Abbie Fried cross. Final score AV 3, Dublin 0.

As much as Amador dominated Dublin in that game, Monte Vista controlled the run of play second of the three games. The Amador defense was under constant pressure with Monte Vista seemingly having 75% or more possession. The Amador defense bent but didn’t break through the entire first half despite some very legitimate opportunities by the Mustangs requiring keeper Juliet Allen to make some brave saves on crossed balls and breakaways. With as much possession as Monte Vista was having, the Dons did show some spark on offense with Sam Frost, Alyssa Bardakos, Shenyce Hunsaker and Abbie Fried getting off some shots only to be thwarted by the Mustang defense. In the second half, the immense pressure broke the Don’s defense with Monte Vista throwing lots of players at goal. Monte Vista scored on a header early in the second half and added a second late in the game. A tough loss but the girls represented well against a very good foe. Final score AV 0, Monte Vista 2.

In the highlight of the three game set, the Lady Dons traveled to Foothill for their battle against their rival. On a sunny Saturday, the Dons and Falcons faced off! This is the 7th match that I’ve attended between these two teams and it always is exciting given that so many of the girls are friends and club teammates. If you were to look purely at possession and shot stats, you would be wrong to guess the final outcome as the Falcons had the majority of possession and outshot the Dons by 14-4 margin. Foothill, led by their speedy trio of forwards, were matched up against the Don’s three player back line. The Foothill offense did not disappoint with numerous runs at the Don’s defense calling upon Hanna Fleshman, Julia Gonsman, Kira Greenan and especially Juliet Allen to have to come up BIG on many occasions. Throughout the first half, the Falcons would make runs, cross balls and get through the back line with the defense and Allen making stop after stop – on sliding blocks, diving punches or leaping catches. It was amusing seeing the Foothill parents getting more and more frustrated! In the second half, the Amador offense had some chances of their own but the Foothill defense held strong. But, the tale of the game continued with Foothill pounding the offensive end making our defense step up. In one 5 minute stretch midway through the second half, there were 3 shots directly on goal but all stopped. With Foothill getting a bit desperate and frustrated, the Don’s seized their opportunity with only two minutes left in the game. A punt by Allen was collected by midfielder Lorna Roberts who slipped the ball to a breaking Shanyce Hunsaker who went straight at goal. With only one defender to beat, she deftly diagonally crossed the ball to a streaking Abbie Fried who beat the Foothill keeper for the only (and winning) goal of the game with only 1:52 left on the clock. To Foothill’s credit, they threw everything they had remaining at the Dons and earned a dangerously close free kick with less than a minute remaining. The free kick from outside the 35 yard line was well placed on goal, but Allen was able to punch it up, out and and into the crossbar and then collect it in a scrum of girls. The exciting and crazy game ended with an Amador victory 1-0. A great afternoon!

The Dons have three games this week with their first on Monday night against Alameda at home. Good job girls and keep up the good work.