By Tommy Fellner // The Acalanes Men’s Soccer team (6-7-5) defeated Las Lomas by a score of 4-2 this Wednesday night. In a crucial away game, the Dons were able to keep their playoff hopes alive with some clutch play.
Things started off slow in the first half for both teams. Following an Acalanes foul, Las Lomas was awarded a free kick. The Knights connected and took a 1-0 lead halfway through the first.
Acalanes struggled to get their offense going but committed another defensive breakdown when senior Max Motley fouled a Las Lomas player. Las Lomas was awarded a penalty kick and placed it past goalie Luke Denham to go up 2-0 and carry all the momentum heading into the half.
The second half was much of the same for the first 20 minutes, except this time the Dons were able to hold fast on defense.
On a fairly common and regular play, senior captain Ian Franklin threw the ball from the sideline into play in the middle of the box. Gabe Singer soared in and redirected the ball with his head into the back of the net, breaking the Dons’ game long scoring drought.
The Dons sideline went crazy, the shot re-energized the team and renewed hope that they could and would fight their way back into the game.
Approximately 5 minutes later, Singer was fouled inside the box, resulting in a penalty shot. Singer took the penalty and fired it towards the cage and the Las Lomas goalie deflected it off of his hand into the goal. It was now tied at 2 apiece.
Another 5 minutes passed before Franklin found himself on the sideline yet again, prepared to sling the ball into the box. Franklin hurled it and this time Drew Wondolowski rose above the fray and knocked it in.
Acalanes was now up 3-2. The Dons players were going nuts. No one was expecting such a comeback.
Las Lomas was now desperate to even things up but Acalanes’ defense was not giving in.
With 5 minutes left in the game, Franklin was back on the sideline, ready to throw in yet another ball. Taking a few steps backward, Franklin prepared his run-up and slung the ball across the field. Singer soared in again and headed the ball into the back of the net for his third goal of the game.
Acalanes was now up 4-2 with less than 5 minutes to play. Las Lomas was in disbelief.
The Dons closed out the must-win game on a 4-0 run and kept their playoff hopes alive.