AV Girls LAX - Varsity

Last year’s match up saw the Gators earn an early 6 goal advantage against the Dons. The final 12-7 loss was far larger on the field than the finally tally reflected. Hoping to avenge last year’s poor showing the Dons would take every last bit of effort against an equally well coached team. The opening draw featured furious take aways from both the Dons and the Gators. Amador would emerge from the center to attack first. Diligent would drive, spin and shoot but have her shot deflected and recovered by Sacred Heart Prep’s all star goalie. The Gators would take advantage with a fast drive down the center and earn a free position penalty shot. The attempt would give Sacred heart the first goal. AV would earn a defensive takeaway out of the draw. Grace French would be off to the races and earn a shooting space penalty. Her shot would be easily saved by the goalie. Amador would again defend and earn a transition take away. The offense would cycle and place Catherine Murphy with an open shot on goal. But the Gator goalie would once again earn the save. The goalie would immediately spring to the 50 and release her outlet pass. SHP would position at the low post and send a pop pass to a cutter for goal. The Gators would call timeout to give their team encouragement to keep the pressure on. Chelsea Randal would immediately issue multiple corrections on shot technique to optimize the Don’s scoring opportunities. Out of the timeout Amador would shoot only to find the side of the goalie netting. Luckily the goalie outlet pass would roll loose pass it’s intended target. Kaitlyn Sweeney would come up with the ground ball pickup and push the offense forward. Mayo would be placed on the line. Her feint and shoot technique would put the Dons on the board 1-2. The Dons were playing inspired defense as another turnover would kick off the attack. Sophia Shiblaq was back on the field and rolling from X. First doubled, then tripled, and eventually on the line for a push. She would tie up the game at 2-2. Kaitlyn Sweeney would somehow get the ball free from her opponent and Bella Mayo would scoop it up for another scoring opportunity. Offense would setup Mayo as a statue in front of the goalie. Lily Manos would roll from X using her as a screen to score. Amador would run away with the draw and begin patient offense. Manos on the left wing would fire a swift pass to Shiblaq who snuck inside the center of the 8 for another goal. The next opportunity would see Mayo roll from X taking contact multiple times without a foul but ending up eye to eye against the goalie. She would give Amador a commanding 5-2 lead. The shot selection changed from slow telegraphed movements to shots with feints, bounces, and speed. The changes requested by the coach were on full display. However, Sacred Heart Prep would not be easily dismissed. They would rally with a three goal drive. Amador needed to take better care of the ball and see more pass opportunities in transition to prevent take aways. Amador would settle down their offense once more. Shiblaq would attempt to direct Don traffic. Victoria Frenz would outlet to a cutting Marley Diligent to reclaim the lead 6-5. Amador would slide multiple times to hold back the offense. Eventually creating a ground ball opporrtunity that Grace French would scoop up. French would charge the right sideline and fire a long outlet to Catherine Murphy. Murphy with a 3 vs 2 fast break would split the middle and rifle a goal shot . The Gators would quickly respond with a successful free position shot. Lily Manos and Bella Mayo would combine to give the Dons a 10-6 lead. The Gators would have limited to time to score before the half closed, but Lily Manos would deny them by checking the ball free.

The team was instructed to keep the momentum rolling, focus on less checks, and better body position for defense. Out of the half Johnson would drive to goal but be taken down to the ground. After cycling the ball Johnson would get back the rock and drive forward, splitting defenders for another goal. After winning the draw and cycling the offense Catherine Murphy would attempt another point blank shot on the goalie but be well defended. Despite sending the Gators on attack the defensive line would hold. Catherine Murphy wouldn’t disappoint with her second opportunity of the half. She would curl from the right baseline and go lefty strong for a 13-6 advantage. Under pressure the Gator goalie would continue to deny the Amador attack. Her pinpoint, arcing, outlet pass would find a running midfielder sprinting toward the Amador goal. Defense adjusted and forced the attack to swerve but the Gator would still score. The SHP goalie would take two back to back saves and release a second, over the top, outlet to place Sacred Heart on the attack. Alexis Bayani would slide to save the shot attempt but step backwards into a goal circle violation. The penalty shot would be waved off due to an offside violation by SHP. A defensive stop and save by SHP would give them an opportunity to run a clean play. A quick assisted goal gave the Gators life, 13-8. Amador started to go cold with their shots and Sacred Heart Prep continually released high distances passes with accuracy. The Gators would take the momentum and an Amador defensive breakdown would narrow the lead to 13-9. Timeout Amador Valley. A tense 6 minutes were left on the clock. Amador would lose the draw but take possession due to another SHP offside violation. Amador would be patient with the ball. Mayo would drive and take heavy contact. A Gator would be assessed her second yellow card of the match. This resulted in her being ejected from the match. Mayo would convert the penalty to give Amador some breathing room. Amador would lose the draw again but Lovelock would earn a strong save on the drive. Amador earned possession to start burning time. An unfortunate drop allowed the Gators to run loose and notch another goal. Amador would stay composed, earn the draw and bleed time for the victory. A tough 14-11 victory against Sacred Heart prep was well deserved.