AV Girls LAX - Varsity

The 2019 NCS Women’s Lacrosse Tournament kicked off throughout the Bay Area. The Las Lomas Knights traveled to face off against our Amador Valley Dons in the first round. A quick glance at Maxpreps would reveal that the Knights were coming into the matchup large underdogs. And out of the gate Bella Mayo would assert herself by going from the draw, straight to goal, for the first score of the game. On the next play Mayo would reach the penalty line due to push occurring off a “give and go” exchanged with Isa Clark. Mayo would easily convert. Isa Clark would tally her first goal off a free position shot also. Las Lomas would take their first draw win and drive. Blake Guidice would save the attempt, unfortunately her outlet was easily intercepted. Las Lomas would drive right back at her and score. Amador would circle the ball and find Marley Diligent at the top of the 8 meter. Diligent would feint a shot then slide down and fire for goal, 4-1. The draw would favor Amador and quickly find Catherine Murphy. Murphy would dump down to Alex Lovelock at the left post. Lovelock would quickly transfer into Mayo lurking in the center for goal. Amador’s defense would collapse against a low post, pop pass to a driving cutter for goal. Once again the hair trigger for shooting space calls were present, giving Las Lomas an easy penalty goal. Luckily the penalties were also hurting the opposition as the Dons quickly scored two more goals. Defense was finally able to make a strong stand and force two turnovers in a row to keep the offense rolling with a Kalena Johnson drive, 8-3. Timeout Las Lomas. Coach Randel emphasized defensive intensity and did not want another goal scored. The defense responded with yet another defensive turnover and clean transition. Mady Sweeney would convert her push penalty to give the Dons a comfortable 9-3 lead. The Dons would cycle the ball patiently on offense. Eventually Sweeney would roll X, split her defenders, and get taken to the ground. Mady Sweeney would send a quick penalty shot for goal. Both teams would exert heavy midfield pressure creating turnovers for both sides. But the Knights would eventually take a shot on goal. Guidice again would reject the attack. The outlet would skip by her target but be scooped up by Maddie Riddle and transition out. Amador’s next offensive volley would see the ball sail over and wide during three separate shots. The Knights would finally retrieve the ball and go on the offensive. The Knights attempt at a penalty shot would be deflected and picked up by Kiki Sweeney. Amador would push the pace and Mayo would find an open Sophia Shiblaq in the center. Despite a beautiful spin and fire, her attempt would be saved by the Knight goalie. The outlet would go clean and the Knights would break through the defense to score 10-4. Offense wanted an immediate answer but ended up hitting the pipe. The next shot would sail high. Finally, Victoria Frenz would jog through from X and send a brush shot before being blocked off by defenders, 11-4. Defense would step up once more and Alexis Bayani would run away with the ground ball. Mayo would attempt to find #11 at the left post. #11 would be quickly blocked off. It was an unselfish fast break as Mayo could have easily finished the drive. Getting #11 rolling after so much time on the sideline would have been amazing.
Halftime
Despite the Knights getting a goal within the first 5 minutes of the half. The Amador scoring train wasn’t slowing down and in a blink of an eye the score was 14-5. The defense had allowed several double teams to be blown apart, to give the Knights good looks at the net. Eventually, a pipe shot was recovered by Kiki Sweeney. The defense combined between Sweeney, Bayani, Guidice, Riddle, and Manos in bang bang fashion to change field position and transition up the ball. Catherine Murphy would finish the break by driving from the right baseline in for goal. Amador would repeat an offensive cycle and finally place Frenz in a position to dive quickly from the top of the 8 meter for goal. The Knights would attempt a quick retaliation, but a forced ground ball would be snatched up by Bayani. Once again, the ball would swap field sides swiftly. Isa Clark from the right elbow, would fire a crisp pass to a cutting and curling Shiblaq for goal, 17-5. Amador from this point on had obvious control of the outcome. It was time to let some players pulled up from JV a chance to shine. Kelly Queen, Maggie West, Lauren Brown, Ashley Heck, and Molly Smith were all brought up to Varsity for the NCS Tournament. Ashley Heck would make the most of her opportunity by forcing the ball loose from the Knight goalie prior to an outlet pass. Once again Amador Valley had an unfortunate injury as #11 limped off the field escorted due to a foot injury. We wish this player well and once again a speedy recovery. Amador will be hosting the Foothill Falcons for the second round of the NCS on Thursday May 9th at 7pm. Foothill will be looking for a different outcome when compared to their 19-11 defeat on rivalry night.

Senior night photos can be found at… https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cm7lhyvhanm155o/AABDPxeDyo1dlwozEYLC8wx3a?dl=0
If you have any issues downloading I will get you the photos via USB key!