By Tommy Fellner //
Acalanes Womens Water Polo, the 3 seed in the NCS Division 2 playoffs, defeated 6 seed Drake this Saturday 11-5 to advance to the NCS Semifinals.
The first quarter was full of intensity and neither team was able to get more than a goal lead. Senior captains Kresnak and Myall each scored one goal apiece for the Lady Dons. Drake also scored twice to even the score at 2-2.
In the second quarter the Lady Dons began to pull away. Sophomore Bella Wentzel put away a shot to give the Lady Dons the lead. Drake then tied it with a goal of their own. Acalanes dominated the rest of the quarter and scored twice more, leading 5-3 at the half.
Drake came roaring back in the third quarter, scoring two quick goals, one lob shot from far behind 7 meters and another goal out of set.
Kresnak then drew a timely kickout that resulted in an Acalanes power play. The Lady Dons capitalized on this and called a timeout, knowing it would be a pivotal play.
Wentzel converted the power play off of a shot from the post to put Acalanes back on top. The Lady Dons, supported by the large home crowd were able to recapture the momentum.
Acalanes put up two more goals in the third quarter and never looked back.
The Lady Dons continued to stifle Drake’s offense and steadily built upon their lead. Once they were up 10-5, the Lady Dons began to pull some of their starters and put in their second string. Myall’s goal to make it 11-5 sealed the deal and Acalanes cleared the bench, knowing their ticket to the semifinals was stamped.
Myall led the way with 5 goals, Kresnak added 3 goals and 2 assists and Wentzel had a hat trick as well. Senior Lucy Fellner tallied 10 saves and 4 steals.
Acalanes faces second seeded Campolindo on Wednesday. The Lady Dons won 9-8 in triple overtime the last time these two rivals met.