AV Girls LAX - Varsity

@ Monte Vista 11-10 win

Monte Vista earned the opening draw. The Dons went to work defensively and Claire Lemelin had two quick saves. Defense earned the turnover and executed a clean transition. The offense began their usual ball rotation and Bella Mayo was able to get to the penalty line. Her shot was on point for the Dons. The Mustangs would go on the attack and roll the crease wide and pass inside. The inside Mustang would convert. The dreaded high shooting space calls, were being whistled even when defenders appeared marked up. The Dons capitalized first with Bella Mayo taking a shooting space penalty for goal. Both teams began to execute sloppy turnovers. Finally, Mady Sweeney found a cutting Lilly Manos for a 3-1 lead. MV would again take the draw to X and begin a crease roll. This time the attacker would swerve to the inside and draw an across the body penalty. The ensuing penalty shot would be good. Amador would take the draw in and connect with Catherine Murphy, but her shot was wide. MV responded with a swift transition. The Don’s defense was tough, but a forced shot still broke through to tie the game. Amador was hanging tough at the draw circle. Mady Sweeney got to the penalty line. Instead of a shot, she would hand off to Mackenzie Riddle for a close shot, to retake the lead. Despite losing the draw defense goes crazy as they draw a charge call against the Mustangs. Amador literally closed the door on the attack. Amador and Monte Vista would then fall victim to sloppy turnovers. Amador would regain the upper hand and earn a penalty shot. Unlucky movement prior to the whistle negated the shot and turn over the ball. Defense held for a bit but eventually gave up a shot to give Monte Vist. The Mustang midfielder started her move with a crease roll then accelerated inward to beat 3 defenders for a tough goal. Amador was immediately back on its heels as the closing minute ticked away. Luckily, they were able to ward off a goal prior to the half, 4-6.

Defense again was on point and Claire Lemelin earned a save to open the action. Amador turned the ball over again on transition. The Mustang’s smelled blood in the water and took a shot inside. Grace French would extend her stick and knock down the attempt. MV would recover and draw a shooting space violation. That penalty shot would be deflected but recovered by the Mustangs. The defense finally collapsed on the next attempt to give Monte Vista their biggest lead, 4-7. Amador won their first draw but a risky interior pass resulted in a turnover. Good defense and a nice goalie clear sent AV back on the attack. Lily Manos was hacked and sent to the line. Her strong shot would score. Amador began falling to the extended shooting space violation on multiple occurrences again. However, a slick save by Claire Lemelin gave Amador a fast break opportunity. Maille Smith was off to the races and quickly handed off to Kalena Johnson. Johnson attacked the low post, but instead of penetrating to under the 8 meter, passed to Mackenzie Riddle on the opposite post for goal, 6-7. Monte Vista came out of the draw with high hopes but the shot sailed high. Marley Diligent recovered the ground ball but we unfortunately turnover during transition. The Mustang’s next shot attempt gets deflected and Alexis Bayani takes the ground ball down for a clean transition. Mady Sweeney then quick passes to Anna Ford inside to tie the game. Monte Vista calls for timeout to regroup. Out of the draw Monte Vista goes to work but defense holds strong. In a disappointing turn of events an initial charge call against the Mustangs is overturned for pushing. Several times during the match already the referees seem to be disagreeing with each other’s calls. This gives the Mustangs a good look at goal and convert. Defense again went to work and executed a brilliant double team resulting in a loose ball. But an unlucky turn of events allowed another Mustang attacker to pick it up and fire in a shot. Amador Valley wins the next draw but turns over possession. The Mustang goalie would send out an errant pass that Kalena Johnson would swipe out of the air. Lily Manos would earn a shooting space penalty but pipe her attempt. Manos would recover her own shot then find a rotating Sophia Shiblaq for goal. Maille Smith would explode out of goal and feed Kalena Johnson for a shot attempt. The shot would sail high and send Monte Vista on their way. They go straight to goal almost unchallenged to build the Mustang lead back to 8-10. Marley Diligent was inserted into the draw circle in the closing minutes. With 4:30 left AV wins a critical draw. Anna Ford drew a push call but didn’t make a shot attempt. Manos eventually was on the elbow and passed to Bella Mayo. Mayo would snap back to Manos, who would score on her cut. The draw would see the ball sail out of bounds with the referees disagreeing on possession. The ball was finally awarded to Amador Valley. Sadly, Maille Smith would take an unseen head check and go down for the remainder of the game. The Dons would turnover before taking a shot attempt. Defense played tough to deny a shot attempt. Grace French and Alexis Bayani double teamed the midfielder and caused her to drop the ball. French would swipe the ground ball and speed to goal. A penalty would place her on the line. French would attack close and score to tie the match. She would receive a bump after release and be taken to the ground. With just a couple minutes left Amador would come away with the draw. Anna Ford would release to Bella Mayo as she made her cut and the Dons would take the lead 11-10. Amador Valley would win the draw when it counted most and scramble for possession in the closing seconds. The Dons come away with a big win against a very good rival.

The Dons had this game in hand from the start. I think it’s a good time to praise all the parents for their support by attending so many home and away games. I’ve always heard comments from other teams about how well we travel. So kudos to you parents, families, and friends!

photo pending

The Wildcats were able to pull off a well-earned upset in last year’s spring break matchup. This year they had been in some very tough matches with narrow losses. Amador had just finished a three-game win streak. Unfortunately, Amador’s starting goalie was out with illness. JV goalie Risa Gough was called up and given the start. It was cold, damp, and beginning to rain as the game kicked off. The usually beautiful view out of the North end of the stadium was nowhere to be seen.
The match started off with a fierce defensive battle on both sides of the pitch. Just as the Don’s were looking to setup some offense they lost possession on a brilliant check. The Wildcats were patient as they setup their play. An excellent crease roll and pass for assist opened the scoring in favor of St. Ignatius. SI broke out of the draw with possession. The Don defense would create a turnover but then accidentally step out of bounds during transition. St. Ignatius would turn around and immediately go straight to goal to score. Bella Mayo would put the Dons on the board with a sphere penalty and successful goal. Mady Sweeney would draw a push call during her attack and convert the penalty shot. Amador started to roll as Bella Mayo would connect with a cutting Mady Sweeney to give the Dons their first lead, 3-2. The Dons would again lose possession on a stick check. The Wildcats would pass forward from X and connect with a cutter for a quick shot. Maille Smith came away with the draw and connected with Catherine Murphy as she was cutting through. Unfortunately, Murphy’s shot was deflected but picked up by Mady Sweeney. Sweeney then passed over to Mayo as she attacked inside to tie the game 4-4. Maille Smith would again come away with the draw and pass over to Mady Sweeney who would receive a horizontal stick check. From the line she would toss the ball to Mayo who would shoot low for goal. St. Ignatius would earn a yellow card for head contact with Catherine Murphy. Murphy would skillfully convert the penalty, 7-4. Feeling the pressure St. Ignatius would signal for timeout. SI would win the draw and defense would apply incredible pressure. Despite the Wildcat stepping out of bounds they would be reawarded the ball. The Wildcats would use this opportunity to narrow the lead, 7-5. On the next cycle defense again stepped up and Kiki Sweeney would make the transition over to Anna Ford. Ford would draw a shooting space violation and convert a nice bounce shot for goal. Off the draw the Wildcats went straight to goal and shot wide. The inbound play saw them roll the crease and close the deal for an inside goal. Grace French successfully knocked down a shot and handed the transition to Kalena Johnson. Johnson was hounded on the sideline as she moved up to offense. Eventually SI was able to execute another stick check and turnover. The Wildcats capitalized with another crease roll for goal. The Wildcats had full momentum and connected another outside pass inside in front of the goalie for assist. With the score tied Amador was tense. The Dons benefited from a wide St. Ignatius pass that rolled out. Mady Sweeney connected with Kylie Racer in the low post for goal. Out of the next draw Racer connected with Bella Mayo, who then drew shooting space. Mayo’s patented cannon shot converted to give the Dons some breathing space. St. Ignatius would win the draw but Amador defense would hold tight to deny a goal. SI would also deny any last minute goals into the half. Amador entered the break with a 10-8 lead.
SI opened the second half strong and immediately went to goal. A push call placed them on the line to narrow the lead 10-9. The Wildcats were looking to attack once again, but the rookie goalie would earn her second save of the game. Amador Defense toughened up and earned a charge call against the Wildcats. Unfortunately, the game stagnated as multiple turnovers by both teams occurred. Mady Sweeney earned a push call but was unable to convert. SI earned a yellow card with a high cross check against Anna Ford but no goal was converted. Grace French drew the second charge call against SI for the game. But the Dons were unable to create a shot due to another turnover. SI went on the attack and had a great look at goal but piped the shot. The Dons drew a push penalty against them but the SI shot sailed wide. Marley Diligent picked up the loose ball and went on the attack. Coach Chelsea Randal called for timeout to execute a play. Instead of a shot attempt the Dons would be checked out for turnover for the fourth time in the match. St.Ignatius would run the field and score another tying goal. The Wildcats went into over drive and quickly put up two more goals to build a nice 10-12 lead for themselves. Disaster may have struck but Amador creates a turnover and Mady Sweeney gets to the line. Her shot attempt was denied and Amador went for a set play. Bella Mayo was able to shed her defender on the screen but her shot went wide. Kalena Johnson was patient and began probing the defense, eventually breaking through to make it 11-12. Time was starting to dwindle away and there was a very large sense of urgency building up. Amador won the draw and immediately went to goal. Bella Mayo would receive a sphere call that placed her on the line. Her long range shot was fast and true. The game was tied with only 50 seconds left on the clock. Amador won the goal and was threatening to shoot. You could feel the pressure set in as multiple passes were poorly handled. Lily Manos moved from the low post, to the top of the 8 meter, then curled inward. She attempted a long range shot that was saved by the Wildcat goalie. The goalie would find their best player open in the midfield. The St. Ignatius midfield would go the distance to score with only 15 seconds left on the clock. Amador would be unable to take the final draw win down for a shot. It was a tough battle for the Dons and a well earned victory for St. Ignatius. Lots of respect for the effort our JV goalie, Risa Gough, put in!

Spring break continued to bring beautiful warm weather Tuesday night. The Menlo School Bears arrived hoping to pull off another upset against the Amador Dons. Last years exciting match up saw the Bears overtake the Dons in the closing minutes of the match to win by 1 goal. On the other hand Amador was hoping to extend their win streak.

The match opened with a common scene of Sophia Shiblaq earning the draw win, then handing off to Bella Mayo for a quick strike. Menlo’s goalie would buckle down and save the next threat by Amador. The Dons would mirror the save on the other end. Defense would rotate the ball forward through Kiki Sweeney and Kayley Young, eventually Bella Mayo would get to the line for her second goal. Menlo dug in their heels and would earn their first goal on the penalty line. Shiblaq ran to attack from the draw to earn a penalty line goal. The Don’s defense seemed to miscommunicate and break down as Menlo was able to easily run down the center, to goal, without a challenge, tightening the match at 3-2. Bella Mayo took the draw down the center immediately sucking in four Bear defenders. Despite maneuvering away she was accidentally taken to the ground. She would make the Bears pay by converting her penalty shot. Menlo would forfeit the draw on a moving violation. Bella Mayo would swerve into the top of the 8 meter and pass of to a cutting Kylie Racer. Racer’s shot would fly in for goal. Bella Mayo’s next shot on goal would be saved by the goalie. The Bear goalie would toss up a poorly timed pass. Sam Nimmo made the heads up ground ball pick up and immediately went to goal, extending the Amador lead. Catherine Murphy would do her part by rolling the crease to cushion the Don lead at 7-2. Claire Lemelin and the defense would defend well on an initial threat by the Bears. Unfortunately, the bear midfielder returned to the 8 meter and sunk in a goal. Mady Sweeney would take the ground ball from draw and connect with Mackenzie Riddle. Riddle’s crease roll was unfortunately saved out. The Bears would fumble the transition and see Grace French make the ground ball pickup. French took the ball to goal and earned a shooting space violation. French would fling in a high shot for goal. The Bears continued to fight back by rotating and driving the ball in for shooting space. The Amador defense swarmed in to deny a shot, but would fail to defend the second drive. Bella Mayo would take the draw to goal and sail her shot wide. Amador then took their next offensive opportunity to set a play. Mayo would eventually receive the ball and roll the crease eventually shedding her defenders as she maneuvered back and forth at the 8 meter perimeter. A nice finish at the goal build up the Don lead. The Amador defense was able to narrow the shooting lane to help Claire Lemelin earn another assist. Unfortunately a connection on the transition was missed and Menlo would strike. The Dons appeared to be doing a good job at the draw circle. Once again Amador patiently rotated the ball to open the driving lanes. Bella Mayo would take advantage and shoot in a sky hook like goal. With only seconds left in the half Amador would be unable to take a decent shot but went into the break with an 11-6 lead.

The Menlo Bears would continue to battle intensely and stay in the fight. They started the half by aggressively attacking the Don defense. Despite multiple shooting space penalties being denied or saved the Bears eventually broke through. Menlo would follow with a nicely executed crease roll and cutter connection to narrow the lead to 11-8. Bella Mayo would respond for the Dons by taking the draw and going directly to goal. The shooting space violations started racking up one after the other. The penalty was being called for any player inside the 8 meter even when closely connected with their mark. It was the widest interpretation of the rule many have witnessed. This gave Menlo an advantage as the Dons scrambled to adjust. The Bears would again threaten the Amador lead by converting a shooting space violation. The Dons would come out for the next draw on fire, and battle hard. After rotating the ball through the offense, Bella Mayo would drive in and go low under her defender for the goal. Mady Sweeney would make a clean connection with Mayo deep inside the 8 meter. Mayo’s slick underhand shot would sail wide. Mackenzie Riddle would roll her crease but be denied again, sending Menlo on their way. Menlo would rotate the ball and attempt some drives. Amador’s aggressive double team failed to deny a nice pass inside to the open Bear, and they would score. Once again making the Dons nervous at 13-10. Mady Sweeney would respond by converting a push penalty with a speedy cannon shot. Next, Mackenzie Riddle would roll through the crease and immediately connect a high pass to Catherine Murphy for a catch and shoot, in front of the net. Menlo would take a saved shot and run the field. The midfielder would light her afterburners in a nice display of speed to get by defenders, for a Menlo goal. Amador defense would buckle down and hold back the Bears. Claire Lemelin would rack another save. Then an unfortunate across the body penalty was converted by Menlo for another goal. Menlo School continued to battle and show grit. The Don offense looked frustrated as their shot was saved out again. But the Don attackers applied heavy pressure on the transition with the rest of their teammates. Sophia Shiblaq was able to steal a pass, then connect it to Kalena Johnson. Johnson would snap the ball over to Mady Sweeney, who then made the closing shot. Sweeney would earn back to back goals to give Amador some space in the closing minutes. The Bears would ratchet up their aggressiveness on offense and set a blind pick against Bella Mayo. The referees were calling a tight game and awarded Mayo possession for the illegal screen. Katherine Murphy would receive the pass and send a connection to Mackenzie Riddle in the low post. Riddle would release inside over the goalie’s shoulder to close scoring for the Dons. Amador was able to outlast Menlo school in a fantastic shoot out.

We are excited to face Campolindo and honor our Seniors on 4/23. In an effort to bond, carb load and most importantly HAVE FUN, we are having a Pasta Feed for the girls and the coaches! The BAYANI family has graciously offered to host this PASTA Feed at their house (2315 Sandpiper Way). We are asking for the below items be brought from families of other players for the fun event. Please consider signing up for an item to bring, remember it needs to be enough to feed the girls and coaches. The event will be right after practice so you can drop hot dishes off directly to the Bayanis (2315 Sandpiper Way).

Please consider signing up to bring something at:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0F4EAFA62FA1FA7-pasta3