AV Girls LAX - Varsity

Welcome to a new season of Amador Valley High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse. After a successful 2017 season where the Dons went 17-5 and reached the NCS quarter finals, a new year with high expectations begins! The roster compromises 13 returning: 4 seniors, 3 juniors, 10 sophomores, and 2 freshmen players. The coaches will be looking for big contributions from each and every player throughout this 19 regular game season. Scoring by committee will need to be emphasized as the top scorer from last season, Sadie Grozier, has moved on to Boulder to continue her lacrosse career. With talent and experience from last year’s squad the scoring gap should be easily filled. Coach Chelsea Randel and Coach Sara Quero return for their second season as the Dons coaching staff. Their positive energy will surely fuel the girls success through the season.

It is rare to play another program with the same mascot. However, the upside is the entire bleacher cheering section is rooting for the Dons! Last year’s Acalanes team proved resilient and forced the Dons to give up a large lead in the first half. This resulted in a tight second quarter before the Dons put it out of reach at the 4 minute mark. This years matchup proved to be eerily familiar.

Amador had a strong opening to the matchup and blitz Acalanes quickly. The first draw and then goal was all Mayo. Murphy spotted our next goal after being fed by Mayo as she cut through the center. Ford attempted to quick pass inside but was fouled and earned a penalty goal. Acalanes then had their first goal by beating the Amador defender to the outside. Then another senior contribution as Riddle snapped in her patented crease roll move. Defensively Amador was doing their best to strangle the midfield transition. Their efforts paid off as Acalanes was forced backwards. A pushing call gave Acalanes a free pass to the center of the field. Bayani saw the signs and bolted for the pass attempt. Like a blur she intercepted the pass and was off to the races. She broke down the sole defender and popped in a high right corner goal. This move definitely pumped up the crowds. Next up was Manos on an inside feed and quick release. 6 goals by 6 different players, I think any coach would be pleased. The intensity of the match started to slowly increase as Acalanes was given a yellow card for a check to the head. In fact at one point there were two players from Acalanes with yellow cards. Unfortunately Amador was unable to capitalize and Acalanes made an incredible effort to narrow the gap off of penalty shots for goals, 6-4. Murphy received a beautiful feed and added a ballerina like twirl for a goal prior to the half. Of note was Amador’s success at the draw which may have been the difference in scoring success. Amador jumped out of the break with multiple penalty shot goals and looked to be putting the game out of reach again. To their credit, Acalanes would not surrender so easily and kept the game within their reach. Shiblaq posted her first goal of the season off a penalty. Sweeney also contributed a goal but more importantly 2 assists for her teammates. Luckily for the Dons, Mayo flexed her scoring prowess in the second half and put up an additional 3 goals. The defense did amp up their efforts and were able to block off multiple attempts by Acalanes. Lemelin had multiple fantastic saves to keep the game out of reach in the latter parts of the second half. The game ended a 12-8 victory against a tenacious adversary who is expected to do well in their own league.

It was a fantastic start to the new season. I think the coaches have found areas where they can definitely apply lessons in order to continue winning! The new varsity players found their groove and were seen making incredibly positive contributions on the pitch. Our next matchup will be against California. Last season the Dons had high expectations for a win in order to grab an EBAL co-championship share. A late lead evaporated and California played a fantastic James Harden maneuver to draw a penalty with 30 seconds left on the clock. That penalty goal put them over the top. Amador looks to avenge that loss this year and take the early inside track for the EBAL league. See you this Friday!