The Santa Ana Dons began their season on Friday, Sep. 2, with a 1-1 draw against Palomar Comets. The Dons gave up the equalizer in the final 10 minutes of the match and were unable to respond after conceding.
In the first half, the Dons displayed some great offensive plays from their attackers.. Freshman forward Ximena Barreras was a nightmare for defenders on the left wing while getting her first assist of the season. Barreras served a cross to freshman forward Diana Hernandez, who was a threat all game long with five shots.
Hernandez received the cross just outside the six-yard box and controlled the ball with a defender on her back. Then proceeded to turn on the defender and got her shot off in tight space. The right-footed shot was just out of reach for the Comets goalkeeper.
“It happened out of nowhere, it was a fast play,” said Hernandez. “If I think too much I feel like I’m going to miss it. It was just a fast reflex.”
Hernandez opened up her goal account for the Dons just before the first half ended giving the Dons the 1-0 lead into halftime.
The second half was more defensively challenging for the Dons, as they received a total of 5 shots this half compared to zero shots in the first half.
The Comets hit the Dons with a counter-attack in the 81st minute. A low-driven cross from the right wing into the Dons 18-yard box found the Comets attacker’s foot. The Comets forward finessed the shot across the goal into the second post. This was enough to get past sophomore goalkeeper Cecilia Salmeron.
With a final score of 1-1, the Dons begin their season with a record of 0-0-1. Their next home game will be on Friday, Sep. 9 at 3 p.m. against Mt. San Jacinto.
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