This loss is going to sting for a while as the Girls Varsity squad will look back on a game characterized by missed opportunities and some tough breaks. Throughout the game, the Dons seemingly always were on the wrong end of key calls that disrupted their “mojo” and momentum. The final score was Livermore 2 – Amador Valley 0. Credit must be given though to the persistence, resiliency and fight that the entire team showed – offensively and defensively – right up to the final whistle. If there is a silver lining, the Lady Dons can say that they fought hard and are continuing to gain experience.

The Dons came out with an abundance of passion and energy and dominated possession through the first 10 minutes of the first half. Sam Frost, Abbie Fried, Lorna Roberts, Alyssa Bardakos and Tori Sanchez collectively were able to penetrate the Livermore defense with edge runs or slotted passes but always just came up short finishing or were called for being offside. For the second game in a row, the Dons were up against some very aggressive defenders and showed lots of moxie! On the defensive side, there was no lack of effort too. The back line collective of Jenyce Dutcher, Julia Gonsman, Emily Mickelson, Summer Langsam, Allie Hunter and keeper Juliet Allen had their hands full with the quick and aggressive Livermore front line. If Amador dominated the front end of the first half, Livermore turned the tide and dominated possession on the back end of the half. But, AV held strong to finish the half off with a 0-0 scoreless tie.

As the second half started, AV exhibited the trend of the first three games – starting halves strong! During the first 10-minute stretch of the second half, Amador had several good opportunities as they put the Livermore defense under pressure. Strong play by the Amador forwards and midfield – Fried, Frost, Murphy, Bardakos, Judson and Roberts, yielded more quality edge runs, crosses and slotted balls but just like the first half, all were either a bit off or were negated by fouls or offside calls. Watching the calls mount (Amador had 15 fouls called on them,) the Amador faithful were starting to get animated in the stands as they saw a pattern emerging! Then, as often happens, the other team pulls of a good run and changes the complexion of the game – a Livermore forward was able to get behind the defense on an edge run, make a good cross to a waiting Livermore player at the far post who headed the ball into the top of the goal. AV is suddenly down 1 – 0. The Amador squad re-doubled their intensity and pushed on with several good opportunities but to no avail. Sam Frost earned a foul (and a Livermore yellow card) just outside the penalty box on a great run. Her free kick landed near the top of the 6-yard box and would have connected with a Amador player’s header if not for the Livermore keeper getting a hand on it! Another close call! Livermore scored their final goal from a free kick. From the 30-yard line, the Livermore kicker put the ball into the upper far post corner of the goal – admittedly, a good shot. Despite the 2-0 deficit, AV continued to push but were unable to convert for a goal. The game ended with a Livermore 2–0 victory.

With little rest for the game weary (and final-taking) Lady Dons, the next contest is tomorrow night – Thursday, December 22 at Granada. Good luck on finals girls – get your sleep and we will see you all on the field!

Stats:

- Offside: AV 4, Livermore 0
- Fouls: AV 15, Livermore 8
- Yellow Cards – AV 0, Livermore 1

The Amador Valley Girls Varsity soccer team fought valiantly against a tenacious and chippy Liberty squad but in the end were on the losing end by a final score of 3-0. The veteran laden Liberty girls used their speed, size and attitude to challenge the Dons on both the offensive and defensive side of the field and made possession difficult. Goalkeeper Juliet Allen played a very strong game blocking, deflecting and stuffing multiple one-on-one and point blank opportunities from the Lions to keep their scoring to 3 goals. On the offensive side, Alyssa Bardakos, Molly Murphy and Abbie Fried among others matched the Liberty pressure going toe-to-toe with the Lions for possession.

As the game started, it was apparent that the Liberty players’ speed was going to be a constant challenge for the Amador defenders as evidenced by the Liberty quick score in the 3rd minute as an open shooter slammed a ball from the top of the 18 and into the side of the goal. The lead was nearly doubled within the next two minutes as a Liberty forward went head to head with Allen only to have the shot attempt blocked and shooed away. For the next 10-12 minutes, Liberty pushed the ball forward intensely but the Amador defense settled in and was able to keep up with the Lions with strong play by defenders Jenyce Dutcher, Julia Gonsman, Emily Mickelson, Allie Hunter and Summer Langsam. As the half progressed, the Don’s midfield and forwards were able to pick their opportunities with several free kicks and runs only to come up a bit short on each attempt. As the first half ended, the Dons were able to keep the score at 1-0 through good team defense and a very active keeper Allen as she tallied 4 intense saves in the first half alone.

The second half started almost identically as the first with Liberty making a concentrated offensive push and were awarded their second goal off a free kick in the 43rd minute. The beautiful quick kick by Liberty was well placed high and into the side netting. With renewed energy and now a 2-0 lead, the Lions went on an offensive push for the next 10 minutes resulting in Allen being called upon to make three point-blank, breakaway defending stops on Liberty forwards during that period. On the offensive side, the Dons were fighting their own battles as they tried to penetrate the Lion’s defensive back line. Amador’s Alyssa Bardakos, Molly Murphy, Lorna Roberts, Abbie Fried and Tori Sanchez challenged for every ball possession and were able to create some effective offensive chances through their ball control and connected passes. Multiple times, the Amador offense was able to push the ball down the sides of the Liberty defense and launch crossing balls but each was dispatched by the Lions. Amador narrowly missed a legitimate scoring opportunity with Kylie Racer taking a Jenyce Dutcher free kick and sending it over the top of the goal. Liberty closed out the scoring in the 67th minute on a header from a corner kick. Final score – AV 0 – Liberty 3.

As the article heading suggests, the Dons fought valiantly in the loss and undoubtedly gained some important experience that should benefit them in the coming games. Next up for Amador is their first league game when they travel to Livermore tonight, Tuesday 12/20. Come cheer on the Lady Dons!

Stats:

- Shots: AV 3, Liberty 12
- Saves: Allen (AV) 9, Liberty 3
- Offsides: AV 0, Liberty 5
- Corner Kicks: AV 1, Liberty 3
- Fouls: AV 9, Liberty 8
- Yellow Cards – None

A spirited home crowd watched the AV Girls Varsity Soccer win their second consecutive game over Clovis North by a score of 2-0 to remain undefeated on the season. On a very cold night, the Don’s defense stood was kept busy and turned back all Clovis scoring attempts on a very cold night. While the defense was keeping the Clovis North Broncos frustrated, the Don’s offense consistently pushed the ball forward making numerous attacking runs in an overall dominating performance. As with the opening game, Coaches Tim and Lisa used their deep bench to keep players fresh and energized.

In the first half, the Dons wasted no time in pressuring the Clovis defense making several early runs down the sides of the field with well-placed crossing balls. As with the game against Logan, Amador Valley struck early for their first goal. In the 6th minute, Sam Frost took the ball down the left side of the field and beat her defender to get into the edge of the 18-yard box. Once there, she sent a crossing ball to the top of the 6-yard box where a well-positioned Lorna Roberts put a foot onto it and past the Clovis goalkeeper. Clovis turned up the offensive effort following the Amador Valley early goal but each time the defense led by Allie Hunter, Summer Langsam, Julia Gonsman, Emily Mickelson, Jenyce Dutcher and Hanna Fleshman, was able to collectively snuff out the attempt and get the ball back to the midfield and forwards. The Dons best chance to add to their lead in the balance of the first half was a Katie Judson header over the top of the goal on a corner kick. Forwards Abbie Fried, Shanece Hunsaker and Sydney DeVor all had good runs but were unable to notch another goal. At halftime, Amador led Clovis 1-0.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Amador pushing on the offensive end. In the 50th minute, the Dons had a legitimate chance at their second goal as Alyssa Bardakos slid the ball through the Clovis back line just out of the reach of a charging Sammy Lai. The offensive push would continue for the next 10 minutes with good possession by Molly Murphy, Tori Sanchez and Kylie Racer. Then finally in the 60th minute, Amador doubled their lead when Sam Frost scored her first goal of the season on an unassisted shot. Collecting the ball at the side of the 18-yard box, she was able to turn her defender, spin around and crack a shot into the far post side netting. From there, the defense took over keeping the Broncos off the board. Goalkeeper Juliet Allen again played an integral part of the defense throughout the game with her vocal instructions and encouragement but otherwise wasn’t challenged much touching the ball only a half dozen times as Clovis had only 3 shots.

Next up for the Lady Dons is the first away game of the season against the formidable and reigning NCS champion Liberty on Monday night. Keep up the great play ladies!

Stats:

- Shots: AV 7, Clovis 3
- Saves: Allen (AV) 3, Clovis 5
- Offsides: AV 2, Clovis 3
- Corner Kicks: AV 3, Clovis 1
- Fouls: AV 9, Clovis 0
- Yellow Cards – None

A spirited home crowd watched the AV Girls Varsity Soccer win their second consecutive game over Clovis North by a score of 2-0 to remain undefeated on the season. On a very cold night, the Don’s defense stood was kept busy and turned back all Clovis scoring attempts on a very cold night. While the defense was keeping the Clovis North Broncos frustrated, the Don’s offense consistently pushed the ball forward making numerous attacking runs in an overall dominating performance. As with the opening game, Coaches Tim and Lisa used their deep bench to keep players fresh and energized.

In the first half, the Dons wasted no time in pressuring the Clovis defense making several early runs down the sides of the field with well-placed crossing balls. As with the game against Logan, Amador Valley struck early for their first goal. In the 6th minute, Sam Frost took the ball down the left side of the field and beat her defender to get into the edge of the 18-yard box. Once there, she sent a crossing ball to the top of the 6-yard box where a well-positioned Lorna Roberts put a foot onto it and past the Clovis goalkeeper. Clovis turned up the offensive effort following the Amador Valley early goal but each time the defense led by Allie Hunter, Summer Langsam, Julia Gonsman, Emily Mickelson, Jenyce Dutcher and Hanna Fleshman, was able to collectively snuff out the attempt and get the ball back to the midfield and forwards. The Dons best chance to add to their lead in the balance of the first half was a Katie Judson header over the top of the goal on a corner kick. Forwards Abbie Fried, Shanece Hunsaker and Sydney DeVor all had good runs but were unable to notch another goal. At halftime, Amador led Clovis 1-0.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Amador pushing on the offensive end. In the 50th minute, the Dons had a legitimate chance at their second goal as Alyssa Bardakos slid the ball through the Clovis back line just out of the reach of a charging Sammy Lai. The offensive push would continue for the next 10 minutes with good possession by Molly Murphy, Tori Sanchez and Kylie Racer. Then finally in the 60th minute, Amador doubled their lead when Sam Frost scored her first goal of the season on an unassisted shot. Collecting the ball at the side of the 18-yard box, she was able to turn her defender, spin around and crack a shot into the far post side netting. From there, the defense took over keeping the Broncos off the board. Goalkeeper Juliet Allen again played an integral part of the defense throughout the game with her vocal instructions and encouragement but otherwise wasn’t challenged much touching the ball only a half dozen times as Clovis had only 3 shots.

Next up for the Lady Dons is the first away game of the season against the formidable and reigning NCS champion Liberty on Monday night. Keep up the great play ladies!

Stats:

- Shots: AV 7, Clovis 3
- Saves: Allen (AV) 3, Clovis 5
- Offsides: AV 2, Clovis 3
- Corner Kicks: AV 3, Clovis 1
- Fouls: AV 9, Clovis 0
- Yellow Cards – None

Team pictures have been scheduled for Monday, December 19 . Order envelopes will be passed out in practice at the end of the week. Photos for Personal Ads in the Winter Program will also be taken at this time as well as the senior photo for the cover page.