AV Girls LAX - Varsity

Despite a solid win at Piedmont on Tuesday, the Dons looked to further refine their play. We are officially half way through the season folks. It’s been an exciting season once again for the Dons. The coaches have been grinding away to continually improve the girls and get them ready for the post season. I’m confident the entire team will continually improve as the second half unfolds.

Last year’s matchup against the Dougherty Valley Wildcats was a memorable nail biter, that put the Dons on top with 30 seconds left on the clock. Stout defense proved key in the closing seconds to ward off a vicious Wildcat attack. This year’s matchup opened with Mackenzie Riddle traversing X and sending an over the goal pass to a cutting Bella Mayo. A follow up shooting space penalty awarded the Dons their first goal. Anna Ford would follow by drawing another shooting space violation. The goalie would save the shot and send the Wildcat offense on their way. Claire Lemelin would deflect the first attempt on goal and then from the penalty line. Dougherty Valley would finally sneak past the defense to tie the game. Amador would benefit from a turnover at the draw. Mackenzie Riddle would attempt a high corner shot, that the goalie would inhale. A bad Wildcat goalie pass would give Mackenzie redemption as she feeds a second assist to Bella Mayo for goal. The Dons started to pick up steam as Mady Sweeney would roll X and find Bella Mayo cutting through the 8 meter for a third goal. Good defense and a save by Claire Lemelin would only result in an unfortunate turnover by the Dons midfield. A scattered defense provided an open look for the Wildcat midfielder, resulting in a goal. Both teams would settle in for a grinding back and forth defensive battle with multiple saves by Claire Lemelin at goal. Grace French draw a critical charge for a favorable Don turnover. In a freakish turn of aggressive midfield pressure and defensive cross checking the Dons would be awarded two back to back yellows. Amador would play two down for over a minute. The Dons kept up the tenacious defense. Then off setting fouls in the Wildcat 8 meter would result in a bad referee call that gave Dougherty Valley the ball. The referees didn’t realize that the possession arrow was incorrectly positioned, despite Amador winning the opening coin toss. The wildcat midfielder picked up her own deflected shot and still found a way to break through the defense to tie the game. Dougherty Valley would pick up a yellow of their own in the midfield. The Dons finally returned to attack. Maddy Sweeney was able to dish a pass, from the right wing, to Bella Mayo to reclaim the lead. The Dons and Wildcats would exchange goals and tie the match at 5 all in the closing minutes of the half. Amador would have an offensive burst. First with Mady Sweeney on a run to goal, then Bella Mayo again from the line. Mayo had been doing a good job getting to the line thus far. It had been a well contested matchup leading into the half.

The second half saw Amador send a barrage of goals against Dougherty Valley until an 11-7 score was set. The Wildcats would finally have an opportunity after Amador’s third yellow card. Dougherty Valley would convert a tough shot from the 8 meter penalty line. The next battle at the draw saw fierce competition for the ball. Dougherty Valley came away victorious and proceeded to convert a beautiful catch and shoot maneuver, narrowing the lead 11-9. The defense began swarming beautifully. Marley Diligent made the Wildcats pay by deflecting a pass and transitioning to offense. Mady Sweeney took over the ball and was able to convert a shooting space violation for goal. Once again, the defense came up incredibly strong to force another turnover. This time Kylie Racer was able to maneuver through X and connect with Sophia Shiblaq to pad the lead. The Wildcats were able to save a goal. During the goalie pass Anna Ford had beautiful anticipation and appeared to jump for possession. In a confusing turn of events a Wildcat defender appeared to under cut her position. Ford was assessed a yellow card despite having superior position and was clearly going only for ball. The fourth yellow card also triggered a not well-known rule that required the Dons to play 1 player short, for the remainder of the match. Despite playing short, Amador stepped on the throttle. Isa Clark would connect a tight pass to Mayo to further distance the Dons. Alexis Bayani would break through the midfield, after a ground ball pickup. She would then transition to attack and find Kalenna Johnson sneaking into the center of the 8 meter. A fast pass to Johnson would result in a beautiful catch and shoot. Dougherty Valley was stunned at how fast Amador began to distance themselves. The Dons would rack up two more goals to close the match at 17-9. Defensive stops resulting in fast breaks prove to be a difference maker for the Dons. Bella Mayo showed her scoring dominance again as she put up 10 goals. Mady Sweeney would also put up 3 goals and 3 assists for the offense. Claire Lemelin and the defense combined to thwart multiple attempts at goal. The Dons appear to be on their way to showing their true potential.