After a first round bye in the NCS playoffs, the Acalanes women's lacrosse team took the field on May 16 to take on Amador Valley.
The DFAL champs were the favorites coming into the game, but did not play like it as they lost to Amador Valley 12-3.
The game started off in a defensive battle. The teams were going back and forth across the field but neither team was able to put the ball in the back of the net for the first seven minutes of the game.
With 18:37 left in the first half, Amador Valley got on the board with a goal by Teresa Li. Li had been fouled close to the goal and received a free shot at point-blank range. Acalanes' goaltender had no chance at stopping the hard shot.
With 12:11 left in the half, Amador Valley put themselves ahead by two goals with a score from Helen Cai.
The Dons got their first goal with 8:20 left in the first half. Co-captain Laura Harris scored after being fouled near the Amador Valley goalie.
Amador Valley then went on an offensive outpour and ended the half with a 5-1 lead.
The second half was much worse for the Dons. Amador Valley built a 7-1 lead before Rebecca Frank netted her first goal of the game.
Unfortunately for the Dons, Amador Valley was just too good and the game quickly got out of hand. Frank scored her second goal of the game with 5:06 left in the game, but it only got the Dons within seven.
"We started out off and we just could not get on. It's definitely not the way you wanted to end your season" said head coach Kelly Haso.
The Dons looked flat and played without intensity that Acalanes fans are used too. The Dons also had troubles with Amador Valley's outstanding goaltender, Caroline Federighi. "Caroline Federighi is amazing. Getting around her, we knew was going to be one of the hardest parts of this game" said Haso.
Despite an unhappy ending, the 2009 season was a very successful one. The Dons won DFAL after playing one of their best seasons. Midfielder Katie Mitchell was named DFAL's Most Valuable Player.
The DFAL champs were the favorites coming into the game, but did not play like it as they lost to Amador Valley 12-3. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA