The Amador Valley Lady Dons beat Dougherty Valley by a score of 3 – 0 to extend their winning streak to three games and four of the last five games. The victory takes the team record to 6 wins against 4 losses. The game was the second of the week after the victory against Alameda on Monday night.

Most of the focus in recent articles has been on the offensive performance of the team as they’ve scored 10 goals in the past three games. However, a more impressive statistic is the zero goals against through that same stretch. Against Foothill, Alameda and Dougherty Valley, the Amador defense has not allowed a single goal while facing a barrage of attempts by the opposition. Coach Gray has consistently been using a three defender back line who has teamed up with the keeper to bend but not break during this stretch. Leading the defensive stand has been a group of girls including Keara Greenan, Julia Gonsman, Hannah Landal, Hanna Fleshman, Jenyce Dutcher and Juliet Allen. The entire group has played as a cohesive unit over the past five games to drive the recent success. Of particular note were the 9 stops by keeper Allen against Dougherty to bring her total saves over the past three games to 25.

During the Dougherty Valley game, the midfield ball control was noticeably improved with very strong performances by Molly Murphy, Katie Judson, Emily Mickelson, Lorna Roberts, Kylie Racer and Allie Hunter. Passes were connected and ball movement from the back line through to the front line was working well. Especially active and impactful in this game was Molly Murphy who was “all over the field” to influence the game.

In the end, you can’t win without scoring so kudos to the front line of Sam Frost, Abbie Fried, Sydney DeVor, Alyssa Bardokos and Sammy Lai and the entire midfield who again were creative to score three goals. Held scoreless through the first half, the team applied extraordinary pressure on the Dougherty back line and finally took the lead in the 52nd minute. On a pass from Sam Frost at the top of the 18, Molly Murphy slipped the ball past the diving Dougherty Valley goalkeeper. Euphoria ensued from the crowd and no more than two minutes later, Amador Valley doubled their lead when Abbie Fried was able to beat her defender and take the ball into the corner of the 18 and unleash a low cross which was slotted past the Dougherty Valley keeper. While the defense was keeping the Dougherty girls at bay, Amador was scheming the “put the game away” goal which was impressively scored by Sydney DeVor who dribbled between and around Dougherty players to the top of the 18 and struck the ball past the goalkeeper.

That’s it folks! Amador wins by a score of 3 – 0 and now faces Cal High on Thursday, January 19 at 6 pm at home. Let’s keep the home advantage working and win another one.

Great job AV Lady Dons!