AV Girls LAX - Varsity

Game photos have been updated and can be found in the media tab to the left of the AV Girls LAX-Varsity teampages homepage. After selecting Media, choose photos. Then select the album you would like to view. If you see a picture you really, really want to save select the photo. However, instead of saving the first photo that pops up choose the option at the bottom of the photo that says “view full-sized image.” Save the much larger photo. This gives you a much nicer photo that you can edit and crop.

Steve Nimmo has been uploading videos of the games also. Those can be found under “media” also.

If you have any issues with getting the photos you like please contact Jacob Bayani, Alexis’ Dad. jacobbayani@gmail.com. If you need more photos of your daughter please let me know. I’ll focus on her during the second half. I apologize if I didn’t get enough of your daughter to this date. I would be happy to make sure everyone gets some game shots.

Happy Easter & Happy Spring Break Amador Lacrosse Families!!

I hope everyone’s Spring Break is off to a good start and you have all had a wonderful day celebrating Easter with friends and family. We don’t have much going on this week, but please see below for details.

JV is OFF this week and has no mandatory practice or games!

THIS WEEK’S VARSITY SCHEDULE:
Monday 4/2- Varsity Brunch at Vic’s at 10:30am. Varsity Practice at Amador from 4:00pm-6:30pm.

Tuesday 4/3- Varsity ONLY Home Game vs. Menlo!
Varsity Game at 7:00pm (Boys play a home game at 4:00pm!)
Varsity players should meet in Diana’s Room (P-1) no later than 5:40pm
Wednesday 4/4-Friday 4/6- OFF

OTHER IMPORTANT UPDATES:
Parental Sportsmanship:
Parents/Fans- Just a reminder to please be respectful to referees, other schools parents, players and coaches while in the stands during our games both home and away. At Amador, the players and coaches embody good sportsmanship and positivity and we expect our parents to follow that model as well. Thank you!

Athletic Registration Fee:
If you have not paid, PLEASE pay the Athletic Registration of $350. We are at 83% but would need to get over 90%! You can pay online HERE!

If you are having trouble affording the Athletic Registration, we have scholarships available so please let us know!

Please reach out if you have any questions. GO DONS!

Chelsea Randel
Amador Valley Girls Lacrosse Head Coach
(925) 209-1093
GO DONS!
AVlogo

The Dons looked fired up to perform at the outset of the match. I’m sure the sour taste from Friday’s defeat was still lingering. Amador came out and put up two quick goals. Piedmont looked to be walled off with three defenders, but then the shooter turned as all three spread out. This gave Piedmont an opening for their first goal. Both teams had trouble maintaining possession. Lily Manos was attempting to recover a ground ball. A Piedmont attacker kicked the ball as Manos was running. It appeared as if the two players legs collided sending Manos to the ground. All the players were worried knowing that it was the same leg she had previously injured in the past. I’m sure everyone is thinking of her well being and quick recovery. After the match was restarted, Sophia Shiblaq would throw down some goals from the top of the key, and another by rolling the crease. The Dons built up a solid 6-1 lead. Shiblaq facilitated a ball to Sam Nimmo for a quick shot. The Highlander goalie made a great save. The Don defense was swarming and switching. The Highlander attacker made it to X and rolled the crease. The shooter burst her speed past the defender for a goal inside. Mady Sweeney came down the field and into the 8 meter. Sweeney made a fantastic quick pass to Bella Mayo who slid underneath. After receiving the ball Mayo made a beautiful underhanded no look shot to get by the goalie. The half ended with Isa Clark on the line but no easy lane for a shot.

The second half opened with a volley of exchanges between both squads. But Piedmont stuns with two back to back goals off of nice plays to bring the match to 9-5. The Dons were circling and found Catherine Murphy at the X. Her crease roll was saved out. The Highlanders could not do much better and their shot was also saved out. Piedmont’s player then lost control of the ball out of bounds. Bella Mayo would end the transition with a strong shot that hit the top pipe. Amador eventually recovered and saw Kalena Johnson’s shot deflected away. The Dons retained possession and eventually Sophia Shiblaq earned a a penalty to place her on the line. Shiblaq would convert for goal. Piedmont would run back down the line and convert a shooting space violation for goal. The next draw saw a fierce battle for possession. Amador came away victorious and Mady Sweeney again ran to goal looking for cutters. Sweeney would connect with Shiblaq to create a comfortable 11-6 lead for the Dons. Piedmont then executed another offensive set. The defense held good position. The Highlander’s next goal was signaled despite their shooter’s stick making contact with the Amador defender’s head. Piedmont would win another draw but an unlucky turnover saw the Dons make nice passes in transition. Alexis Bayani would run the midifield and go on the attack. Her run would be closed down, but a nice pass to Catherine Murphy would earn a shooting space violation. Murphy’s shot would also be closed off by defenders. The ball eventually cycled to Bella Mayo. Mayo would be awarded a shooting space penalty. This time Mayo would pass off the line to Murphy in the low post for a goal. With time running low Piedmont took a low percentage shot but converted on a lucky bounce. The game should have been over at this point with a few seconds left on the game clock. The Dons would win the draw and run to offense. Catherine Murphy received the ball and immediately released as time expired. Her swift shot found the back of the net sending her team into a crazy celebration. The 13-9 win was a good victory. However, the team should not over celebrate. The Dons were still dropping balls and having trouble maintaining possession. Hopefully the Dons can continue to tweak their game and carry even more success forward. I’m sure we will all be thinking of Lily Manos. Hopefully her injury is only minor.

I don’t think anyone expected the first half to unfold as it did for the Amador Valley Girls Lacrosse team. San Ramon Valley High School (SRVH) played aggressive and tenacious from the draw. Amador looked a little flat and committed multiple turnovers. Even when Amador was able to muster good defense, the Wolves found the right vulnerability at the right time. SRVH was up 0-4 in the first 8 minutes of the match. The Dons still felt they were in the match but had some unlucky breaks. Amador was looking to execute some half court offense but the SRVH goalie would send the ball away with a save. The Dons would force a turnover in the midfield to stop the break. Unfortunately, a poor pass in the midfield would see the ball sailing out of bounds and back into the Wolves hands. SRVH would drive strong and capitalize on a free penalty shot to create the largest deficit for the Dons in two years at 0-5. At the 10 min mark Bella Mayo would pick up a ground ball turnover and find Sophia Shiblaq cutting inside. Shiblaq would be pushed to the ground. The subsequent penalty shot would give the Dons their first goal of the match. The next sequence would see the Wolves take a forced turnover all the way back to goal. Defensive pressure looked to protect the Dons but a savy shot would still find the back of the net. The Dons finally won a draw only to have the ball quickly checked out. SRVH would execute another fantastic run to goal ending with a pass and shoot. Nothing seemed to be going right for the Dons. Amador tried to muster some last minute offense only to have their pass deflected. A secondary attempt by Bella Mayo sailed wide to close the half. To quote Mike Tyson, “Everyone has a plan until they are punched in the mouth.” The Dons were literally punched in the mouth this half.

SRVH started the second half by winning the draw. The Wolves finally committed an unforced turnover of their own. Kalena Johnson ran it back, weaving past defenders for a goal 2-8. Lily Manos made a nice connection with Sophia Shiblaq. Shiblaq then earned a shooting space violation. The free penalty shot was saved. The Wolves were able to go back on the offensive. The defense broke down and gave SRVH the opening they needed to push the deficit to 2-9. Amador was able to earn a turnover as SRVH struggled in transition. Mady Sweeney rolled the crease, but halted in the low post. Sweeney then passed to a cutting Lily Manos who maintained good ball control despite defensive pressure. Manos finished the cut with a strong goal. Amador looked to pick up some momentum by winning the next draw. The offense began rotating the ball. This time Mady Sweeney was able to find Bella Mayo from the low post cutting down from the top of the 8 meter. Mayo drew a shooting space violation and easily converted the penalty shot. Mady Sweeney would repeat the sequence for another goal a minute later. Sophia Shiblaq was pushed and placed on the penalty line during a drive. Shiblaq passed the penalty to a lurking Bella Mayo in the low post for goal. Mady Sweeney playing the role of field general for the third time made a nice pass from X to a cutting Kalena Johnson to narrow the game to 7-9. SRVH became very patient with their next offensive sequence to minimize mistakes. It was a beautiful pick and roll play from the top of the 8 meter to free a shooter and give the Wolves some breathing room. With time on their side the patient SRVH offense slowed the tempo and converted another opportunistic goal to stretch their lead to 7-11. Amador would continue to make it interesting as Isa Clark was able to draw a shooting space violation. A strong shot over the right shoulder of the goalie breathed some hope into Amador. However, time began to dwindle down and SRVH was able to bunker and waste the clock away. Poor protection of the ball, turnovers, unlucky defensive positioning, and not enough draw wins would contribute to the loss. It was good to see Amador not give up in the second half and nearly close the gap. SRVH deserves credit for coming out of the gate strong and not folding. I’m sure the coaches will be working hard to fire up the team and make corrections.

It was fun to see a good crowd travel for the first away game at Davis High School. The temperature was a little milder than previous nights but the darn rain was back. Hopefully the Dons would weather the rain and the Blue Devils.

Amador came out of the gates strong with a draw win. Bella Mayo took up the first strike but was deflected. Luckily, Kylie Racer picked up the ground ball and made a fantastic pass back to Mayo, who quickly released for a goal. The Dons worked hard to attempt another goal but were deflected and sent on the retreat. Strong defense by the Dons was foiled by a shooting space violation. Claire Lemelin sent the penalty shot away for a save. The Blue Devils had some luck of their own as they recovered the ball. Their swift midfielder kept racing past defenders until an opening saw the game tied up at one a piece. The next offensive possession saw Sophia Shiblaq adeptly maneuver through multiple defenders within the 8 meter. Curiously, a charging violation was called against Shiblaq that awarded Davis the ball. Davis used their best scorer on an isolation play to take the lead. The game started grinding down to a painfully slow pace. It appeared to be a calculated move by the Blue Devils to minimize Amador possessions. The Dons increased the midfield pressure and were able to force a turnover. Kalena Johnson was able to sneak inside for a strong goal to tie the game. This had to be the longest game time drought for Amador scoring. It had been over 10 minutes since the first goal. Davis played a patient offense but made an unfortunate error by shooting directly over the top of Amador wall of defenders. A dangerous shot penalty, with a yellow card, gave the Dons a temporary advantage. Bella Mayo was able to capitalize on the opportunity by splitting two defenders and being awarded an across the body penalty. Mayo was able to convert the free penalty shot for a 3-2 lead. Davis again grinded their offensive set until they were placed on the penalty line. The Blue Devil’s initial move off the line was turned, but she was then able to roll left and send a side arm in to tie the match once again. Both sides then ended the half with a fierce defensive battle by the Dons. Davis did win several free penalty shots but were unable to convert any of them thanks to the Dons’ defense and another save by Claire Lemelin.

The half opened in Davis’ favor but their shot would hit the pipe. Bella Mayo recovered the loose ball and the Don’s offense went to work. Lily Manos rolled through the X to find an open Sophia Shiblaq cutting through the center. Shiblaq would catch and release to put the Dons up 4-3. A quick draw win put the rock into Mady Sweeney’s hands. Sweeney would swerve inside the eighter meter and get fouled. Her penalty attempt would give the Dons their largest lead of the game. Once again good defense for the Dons produced a turnover. Unfortunately we could not convert and were sent away. Davis would take a shot against the Claire Lemelin force field and be denied. The Blue Devils maintained possession and rotated the ball. Sensing an opportunity a Don defender took a calculated risk but just missed the interception. The Blue Devil’s best shooter wouldn’t be denied with only the goalie between her. The anxiety of the crowd for both squads was palpable. Amador appeared to mimic the slow calculated play of the Blue Devils over the next several trips. With patient ball movement Maille Smith was able to connect with Sam Nimmo who was cutting down the center. Nimmo then lofted a shot right over the goalie for a fantastic goal. Next up was Senior Mackenzie Riddle faking a crease roll, but stopping at the low post to find Kylie racer cutting diagonally. Racer would place a rocket into goal to give Amador it’s first sigh of relief with a 7-4 lead with 3 minutes left on the clock. Amazingly, Davis would win the draw and find the net leaving 2 minutes on the clock. Then Davis would stun again and take the draw. Their patient offense suddenly appeared to take a desperation shot 6 meters out at 45 seconds. To even Blue Devils’ surprise it sailed true and narrowed the gap to 7-6. Bella Mayo won the final draw and patiently rotated the ball with safe passes until time expired. The Davis Blue Devils’ slow tempo and careful shot selection kept them close throughout the match. The Amador Dons appeared a little disorganized to start the match. Several players were playing out of their normal positions. In addition some bad passes resulting in turnovers wasted some early opportunities. The tempo also minimized the Don’s attempts on goal. The good news is that Amador does continue to produce offense from a number of players. In addition there were several series where the defense held strong and rotated well. We were even able to witness some intense face guarding to deny the Blue Devils best scorer. Hopefully, all these lessons translate to continued Amador success.