AV Girls LAX - Varsity

Last year’s match up was a nail biter in the pouring rain at the Blue Devil’s stadium. The Dons eventually escaped with a 7-6 win but was constantly under pressure by a team that would grind their offense at an incredibly slow pace. This year’s Davis team has been thinned out by graduating seniors and have only had a single victory, thus far.

It was a rapid volley of successive goals to open the match. The midfield trio of Sophia Shiblaq, Marley Diligent, and Bella Mayo easily controlled the opening draws. The first goal was a bang bang affair from Diligent, to Grace French, then Isa Clark in the left wing. Isa would drive down and find Sweeney in the right short corner for a quick goal. Kalenna Johnson would tally her first goal off the penalty line next. Mady Sweeney’s penalty shot, on the next possession, would be deflected. Sam Nimmo would make a swift recovery of the ground ball. Mayo would eventually drive and earn a trip to the 8 meter. Her penalty shot would easily sail in. Davis would finally respond with a well-timed pass to a cutter inside. Diligent would respond with a drive from draw. Marley would break right and shoot low, 4-1 Dons. Davis would regroup with a timeout. Sweeney would weave through the offense and find Nimmo crossing the center of the 8. Sam’s shot would find the high right corner to notch another Amador goal. The next Amador shot would be saved by the goalie. Strong transition defense would result in Johnson picking up the turnover and getting to the penalty line. Johnson would hit Mayo, off the whistle, as she cut across the center for goal. Mayo would get back to back goals despite a Blue Devil stick obstructing her shot, 7-1. Alexis Bayani would pick up a loose ground ball after the draw to send the Dons back on offense. Despite good ball movement on offense a dropped pass would allowed the Blue Devils to get back on attack. A big defensive stand ensued as the Dons defense exerted heavy pressure by doubling Davis ball handlers. Blake Guidice would eventually get the save and release a clean outlet. Nimmo would curl from X and charge the center. Mayo would receive the ball at the short right corner and cut left. Her shot would trail behind her and find the net. Catherine Murphy would get in on the action by scooping a loose ball in the wing and drive to the center for goal. Another defensive stand by the Dons would be rewarded with a Caitlyn Sweeney ground ball pickup. The transition would run clean to Murphy, then Mady Sweeney at X. Mady would send a lazer to Nimmo as she accelerated downhill from the top of the 8. Nimmo would rocket in another Don goal. Grace French would notch a goal courtesy of a Nimmo assist during the next set. The Blue Devils would execute an excellent pass again from the wing to a cutter through the 8 meter, 11-2. Davis’s only goals coming from perfect passes to cutters. Alexis Bayani would narrow the shooting lane and Guidice would scoop the ball out of the air for a save. On the offensive side Mady Sweeney would start from the short corner off a foul. Mady would target a driving Grace French for goal. Davis would make a defensive stand of their own and transition to the foul line. Unfortunately, a running clock in the closing seconds of the half negated a penalty shot opportunity.
The second half would start with a running clock due to the 10 goal differential. Once again a small twinge of fear crept back in as I heard whisper’s of “remember St. Ignatius.” The Blue Devils would even stoke some of that caution with a goal off a Don turnover. Thankfully, Victoria Frenz would pass to a driving Mayo. Bella would easily score while diving forward. Marley Diligent was beginning to take over the draw circle by scooping up loose balls. Isa would find Nimmo cutting across the 8 on the next possession to push the score to 14-3. Defense locked down once more as Madelynn Riddle, Kiki Sweeney, Alexis Bayani, and Erica Haley assisted the midfielders in doubling the attackers and sliding to form walls against the Blue Devil offense. They would force a turnover, cycle the ball multiple times in the backfield and push through to get the Dons back on offense. Davis would only score one more time off a penalty. Additional goals by Mayo, Johnson, and Murphy would seal the game. Claire Lemelin would tally an additional save to deny the Blue Devils in the closing minutes. The Dons would cruise out of the match with an 18-4 victory. A punishing offensive attack and stout defense from start to finish ensured another Amador victory. The Dons will travel to Livermore High school this Friday. See all you lacrosse fans there.

Written by Jake Bayani