| | Published May 22nd, 2013
| Girls' Lax Dominant in NCS Playoffs Dons host Mats tonight
| | By Michael Sakoda |  | | Photo Ohlen Alexander
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The North Coast Section girls' lacrosse playoffs got underway this week featuring all three Lamorinda high schools-Acalanes, Campolindo and Miramonte-playing in the division II bracket. All teams will play in the second round.
Acalanes finished the season with a 15-4 record, including a perfect 12-0 record in DFAL play. "It was not only a successful season within our league, but also against other teams considered the top competition in Northern California," said coach Kelly Quinn. "Our biggest win was against Marin Catholic, the defending NCS Champion. That was certainly the measuring stick for our squad."
The Lady Dons battled their way through tough interleague play, and ran the table in the DFAL, clinching the top seed in the NCS Playoffs. "It was a classic team effort," said Quinn. "Chloe Landry, one of our captains, had an outstanding year...Niki Quinn, our other captain, had a great year...but if I had to single someone out, it would be our freshman goal keeper, whose had just a huge impact on our season and mentality."
Quinn says he's looking forward to the playoffs. "We'll have (a) chance to play...Campolindo if they continue to win in their part of the bracket. It would be really special for us to get an NCS Championship after (defeating) our own league rivals," he said. Acalanes enjoyed a first round bye, and will host Miramonte tonight, May 22.
The Mats earned No. 4 seed in the NCS playoffs after going 11-7 overall and 8-4 in DFAL play behind a high octane offense that averaged 9.8 goals per game during the regular season. The Mats drew No. 5 Piedmont in the opening round of the NCS playoffs, pulling out a 13-12 victory in a thriller on May 17. The Mats will travel to Acalanes for a second round contest on Wednesday.
Campolindo also qualified for the post season after going 11-8 overall with an 8-4 record in DFAL play. "Things came together after spring break," said head coach Jim Magee. "We have won 8 of 9 since...focused very hard on our stick skills and playing at a high level of intensity."
The Cougars slow start was due in large part to the absence of some key players. "We were missing five members of our team-including four starters-because Campo's basketball and soccer teams played so far into the post season," said Magee.
Campo earned the No. 3 spot and hosted Cardinal Newman on May 17. The Cougars dropped the hammer early, scoring four unanswered goals within the first four minutes of the game. Cardinal Newman fought back, scoring on consecutive penalty shots, and cutting Campo's lead to three, 7-4, but the Cougars responded and led 11-5 at halftime. The second half saw more of the same with Campo outscoring Cardinal Newman 6-4, winning the game 17-9.
Several players scored multiple goals for the Cougars-a hat trick apiece for seniors Claire Faulkner and Marie Martin, four goals for sophomore Bridget Coleman, and two goals for senior Caroline Dooley. Sophomore Mary Hildeburn notched 5 assists to go with four goals.
"We came out fired up. We came out sharing the ball very well and got up 5 to 1," said Magee after the game. "We made some mistakes on defense that I wish we hadn't made, but they're correctable things...we persevered though."
Of Hildeburn's outstanding performance, Magee commented, "(Mary) is our team leader in assists because she's a very unselfish player. She's always looking for her teammates on the field, and (with) five assists tonight, she's over 50 assists for the season which should end up being a record for our school."
Campolindo traveled to take on No. 2 University High School in San Francisco on Tuesday.
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 | | Bridget Coleman Photo Andy Scheck
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA