AV Girls LAX - Varsity

Miramonte has been red hot completing a seven game win streak. The Matadors were hoping to get some payback after being knocked out of the first round of NCS last year by the Dons. This was a meeting of two high powered offenses.

Bella Mayo opened the game with a draw win. Eventually the ball cycled to Mady Sweeney who jogged through the X, then accelerated past the crease and scored. Miramonte was quick to respond with an aggressive attack into the 8 meter. Amador then stumbled on a bad pass resulting in a turnover. The Matadors capitalized with a shooting space violating to take the lead. Bella Mayo drew a shooting space violation that was converted on a strong shot. Miramonte would again beat back the Dons defense and slide their way into the middle to take the lead, yet again. Bella Mayo began to assert her scoring dominance over the course of the next several minutes. Mayo was able to feed a sneaky Kalena Johnson in the middle for a catch and release goal. Bella Mayo then took the next draw straight to goal side stepping her defender and throttling a shot past the remaining defense. On the next sequence Bella Mayo drew a shooting space. Instead of shooting she fed Lily Manos in the low post for a goal. Isa Clark drove and found an open Bella Mayo who shotguns another goal between three defenders. Claire Lemelin was able to knockdown and takeaway an offensive opportunity for the Matadors. After the transition Lily Manos drew a push call. Manos’ penalty shot was deflected and recovered by Isa Clark. Mady Sweeney received the ball and was pushed, resulting in a free penalty position. Sweeney sent a quick pass to the patient Lily Manos in the low post for a goal. Bella Mayo again claimed the draw and immediately sprinted for the goal, splitting multiple defenders before firing another rocket for goal. Miramonte attempted to muster some offense. However, Grace French was able to place pressure in the midfield, execute a knockdown, and grab a ground ball. French crossed the restraining line for a shot that was deflected, but a shooting space violation put her on the line. Her shot went wide and a subsequent penalty awarded Miramonte the ball. Again, Miramonte’s speed was on display as they attacked the goal. An athletic move gave goalie Claire Lemelin another save. Unfortunately, Miramonte recovered the ball and deftly drifted into point blank shooting position for a goal. At 8-4, the Matadors had their first goal in over 8 minutes. Despite winning the draw Miramonte faced constant transition pressure. The Dons defense executed another turnover that saw Bella Mayo off to the races down the field. Mayo’s shot occurred as several defenders went to the ground but was counted. Amador was controlling the draw throughout the half. Mackenzie Riddle performed her crease roll but was well defended. Miramonte recovered the loose ball and went on the attack. A savy Amador defense narrowed the lanes and goalie Claire Lemelin created another deflection for a save. Unfortunately, Miramonte was then able to return to offense and convert a shooting space violation for a goal. The half ended at 9-5 but Amador felt solidly in control toward the end of the half.

The opening of the second half saw Isa Clark run around the top of the 8 meter then attack inward for a shooting space violation. Her shot was swiftyly deflected for a save. Miramonte’s attempt to respond was stymied by Kalena Johnson’s midfield pressure, resulting in a take away. Kylie Racer received the rock and quickly rolled the X. Racer found a cutting Isa Clark in the center of the 8 meter. A tomahawk slash penalty placed her on the line and penalized the Matadors with a yellow card. The penalty shot was true to put the Dons up 10-5. Bella Mayo snatched the draw and the offense began rotating the ball nicely. A flurry of poorly contested goals quickly saw Amador putting the Matadors in a deep hole. Kylie Racer’s attempted to probe the defense yet again and resulted in yet another defensive slash and yellow card penalty. Miramonte was clearly becoming frustrated and were desperate for defensive stops. However, the refs were attempting to keep the physical play in control. Although Racer’s shot went wide, Amador recovered and placed it in the sure hands of Bella Mayo for another goal. Miramonte had a good offensive sequence placing them on the line for a shooting space violation. Claire Lemelin had a clean save and the offense was back on their way. Miramonte drew their third yellow card of the half on a “repetitive foul” violation. Despite another goalie save Miramonte had difficulty maintaining possession and turned the ball over to the Dons. Miramonte’s mounting anxiety resulted in another slash call and yellow card. Anna Ford’s penalty shot went high but the Dons maintained possession. Bella Mayo was fed the rock and she swiftly converted for goal. Miramonte called a timeout to regroup. A confident Amador team took to patient offense. Bella Mayo was able to draw defensive attention and found and open Maille Smith alone inside the 8 meter for a quick strike goal. Amador’s next offensive rotation had a loose ball sail into the outer corner. Samantha Nimmo won the foot race and attacked the left corner of the goal to put the Dons up 14-5. Another tenacious defensive stand saw Mady Sweeney claim a turnover and race down the center of the field. An open Katherine Murphy on her right wing received a pass that split the lone Matador defender. Murphy then beat out the low post defender by switching to her left hand for the goal. Miramonte finally won the draw and their midfielder was determined to keep her team motivated. Fortunately for the Dons Claire Lemelin deflected the shot away. The remaining minutes saw Amador being patient and taking strikes against a spread Miramonte defense. In the closing seconds Miramonte did recover the ball and charge the field and take a final shot at goal. For the final time that night Claire Lemelin sent them away. This was a commanding win by the Amador Dons. Defense was clicking both in the midfield and against the organized attack of Miramonte. The Dons should stay confident as more challenging battles approach.