GIRLS SOCCER: Streaking Dons in CCS Semis

The Score: Aragon 2, Los Altos 0.

The Star: Aragon High forward Addy Eveslage scored with a spectacular finesse volley to put her team up 2-0 in the 58th minute of a Central Coast Section Division II quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon at Terra Nova High. The sophomore speedster challenged Los Altos’ defenders with her quickness on the wing and her relentless desire to maintain possession.

The Turning Point: Aragon did things right from the first whistle against No. 9 seed Los Altos, scoring a goal in the first 90 seconds of the game, but it did everything even better in the second half. The top-seeded Dons defended well, pushed some forwards up the pitch, while keeping some in the midfield to press and recover the ball aggressively. While Aragon didn’t threaten the goal as consistently as in the first half, possessions were crisper and as the game went on it became evident which team had the upper hand.

The Quote: “I was just thinking, ‘Don’t put it over the goal.’” – Sophomore forward Addy Eveslage on what went through her head before scoring the Dons’ second goal. Eveslage had a mano-a-mano with Eagles goalie Alejandra Maldonado after a long through ball from deep in the midfield. Maldonado slid to try to parry Eveslage’s shot, but the ball popped up over her and Eveslage finessed the ball in with a right-footed volley. What’s Next? The Dons will face No. 4 seed St. Ignatius (12-6-3) in the semifinals on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Pioneer High. Aragon beat SI 1-0 in last year’s Division II quarterfinals as well as earlier this season by the same result. “You know (St. Ignatius) will want this one bad,” said Aragon coach Will Colglazier.

The Bottom Line: Aragon, No. 3 in , dominated the ball close to a 7/3 ratio against No. 5 Los Altos (9-7-3). Passes were sharp, touches were crisp, crosses were as precise as homing missiles. The Dons’ retained possession because of their communication and their collective effort on ball recovery.

After splitting CCS Division II championship honors with Presentation last year, the Dons are extra-motivated to come out the lone winner of this year’s playoffs and they have the tools to do so.

An explosive frontline, a creative midfield and a stonewall defense are not just playing their positions, but playing to the needs of the team.

“We wanna keep improving our level of play with every practice and every game,” said junior forward Kimi Petsche. “We just wanna keep playing better and better.”

The Dons, who won the program’s first Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division title, are 10-0-1 in their last 11 games. _____________________________________________________________________

Aragon 2, Los Altos 0

At Terra Nova High

Goals: A: R. Killigrew (Rodrick) 2:00, A: Eveslage 58:00.

Records: Los Altos 8-6-7. Aragon 14-2-5.