Announcement
@ Foothill
5/4/2018
Foothill has had some notable wins against team like Carondalet and California. They had as good a chance as anyone to upset the Dons. The opening draw saw Amador start to charge but an immediate turnover allowed foothill to go on the offensive. A quick drive put the Falcons up 1-0. It was Foothill’s turn to turnover after the draw. Grace French took the ground ball up for the Dons but an unfortunate drop out of bounds gave the ball back to foothill. Goalie Risa Gough would defend the shot, for a save, allowing Amador to go on the attack. The Falcons would draw a quick yellow for a tomahawk check. Manos would drive and get to the line for a penalty goal. Foothill would miss an opportunity out of the draw and send the shot wide. Good defensive movement contributed to the errant shot. Amador would recover, and this time send a clean transition. Bella Mayo would roll from X and slide inside for a bounce shot goal. Out of the draw Amador would threaten, but incredible Falcon goalie play and defense would reject three shot attempts. Foothill would drive strong and roll back several defenders but get a push call. The Falcon penalty shot would convert. Amador would drive from draw and earn shooting space. Mady Sweeney would turn away and Mayo would take the ball in for another shooting space call. This time the penalty would be good, 3-2. The next draw would see a fierce battle at the center. Amador would come away and send to Mackenzie Riddle at X. Riddle would rotate and drill a hard pass to Kalena Johnson waiting in the center. Johnson would easily convert. Marley Diligent was starting to rule the ground balls in the center of the draw. Amador would position for a set play. Manos would hold the ball at X and then drive inward to score. Mayo’s draw would fly high and reach the 30 yard line where Kylie Racer was waiting to pick the ball up as it crossed. Grace French would aid the transition and send to Mackenzie Riddle. Riddle would be placed on the line for a halo penalty but would be turned away. Mayo would drive right back at the Falcons and get taken down to the ground on a push call. Her penalty would score to give the Dons a 6-2 advantage. Foothill goes on an incredible surg and starts chipping away at the Don lead. Defense would earn a ground ball where Alexis Bayani would weave traffic several times to advance to midfield. Unfortunately, she swarmed before she could hand off and turned over the ball. Foothill would capitalize and another goal later would be tied 6-6. Defense was able to hold and get a clean transition to offense. Bella would send another strong shot but was deflected. Mady Sweeney would scoop the ground ball and earn a goal to give Amador the lead back. Amador would play fierce defense to prevent a last minute goal. Grace French would get a knockdown to end the half.
The opening of the second half saw good defense by both sides. Of note was another save by the rookie goalie, Risa Gough. Grace French tallied another knock down for defense. Amador would transition to Mady Sweeney who was being repeatedly assaulted with checks. The referees finally whistled a yellow card against Foothill. Amador was unable to convert on their adavantage. Grace French would draw a defensive charge. Amador would cycle the ball through offense attempting patience. Sophia Shiblaq would get in close for a goal but would be waived off for crease violation. Foothill goes the other way with strong speed to tie the game. Miley Smith would take the next drive in and be sent to the ground. She would make the Falcons pay by converting her penalty shot. The falcons would answer by setting up a play and allowing their attack to send a brush shot in for goal. Another Defensive knock down would allow for a smooth transition to offense. Miley Smith would draw the shooting space violation. Smith would pass into the low post, but a miscommunication would see the pass go out of bounds. Defense would scramble and work their magic to hold back the Falcons. Foothill would run an isolation play through their best scorer to go up 8-9. Foothill would catch fire, win the draw, and score on a shooting space violation. The pressure started to creep up for the Amador fans. Amador would respond out of the draw. Bella Mayo would take a determined drive in to narrow the falcon lead. Lily Manos would force a turnover and get the Dons an opportunity. Isa Clark would receive the ball and get a push penalty during her drive. Clark’s penalty shot would be saved by the stout Falcon goalie. On the Falcon transition Kiki Sweeney would earn a turnover. Sweeney would lead the transition. Multiple attempts at goal were missed. Bella Mayo would drive hard from the top and convert to tie the match. Foothill would threaten in the closing minute. Grace French would get a takeaway. Lily Manos would drive but her shot would be deflected as time expired in regulation. 3 minutes of sudden death overtime would be set on the clock. Amador would take an initial attempt at goal and be sent the other direction. Defense would collapse inward and give up a shooting space violation. Risa Gough would make an incredible save. The stands erupted with excitement for her. Foothill would scramble to pick up the loose ball. Seeing the time down, the Foothill attacker would send a desperation shot low. To Amador’s dismay it would find the back of the net. Foothill would earn a righteous win on rivalry night. The Dons put up quite a battle but couldn’t close this match like they’ve done so many times before. Rivalry games are funny in that there are never any clear favorites.
