Gallery | 4 Photos

Jacob Sisneros

De Anza College freshman forward Sulma Plancarte (10) races the Evergreen Valley College goalie for the ball. Plancarte won the race and dribbled past the goalie on her way to score the first goal for the Dons.

In a hard-fought game that consisted of a penalty kick, a breakaway goal, and an incredible save, the De Anza College women’s soccer team beat Evergreen Valley College 2-1 on Tuesday Sept. 30 defeating the Hawks for the first time in three years.

Despite their poor preseason performance, the Dons were able to start off their season with a win.

“Feels really good,” said Dons’ captain and sophomore midfielder Madlyn Kelly. “It feels like we can turn it back around and keep winning and keep improving.”

As the first half progressed, the Dons dominated the field. They played at their own pace by controlling the field and did not give Evergreen any real chances
to score.

After 36 minutes of a goalless game, freshman forward Sulma Plancarte opened the score for the Dons. Plancarte was able to go around the goalkeeper and place the ball in the back of the net.

“It felt good because I am hurt, and we were pressuring and it felt good to score,” Plancarte said.

Before the half ended, Evergreen got a shot on the goal, but sophomore goalkeeper Alexia Flippen was able to make an unorthodox save by using her face to stop the ball from going into the back of the net.

The Dons entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.

As the game went on, the Dons were awarded a penalty kick in the 60th minute which was brilliantly placed in the bottom left corner by Kelly, making the score 2-0.

Fifteen minutes later, the Hawks were able to capitalize off a rebound goal. Goalkeeper Flippen was able to block the first shot, but the ball got deflected to a nearby Evergreen Valley player who tapped the ball in to make the score 2-1.

With a strong performance by Kelly, the midfield had great fluidity. The Dons were able to have great communication from the forwards and the defense which helped the team pass well and make few mistakes.

“We had a strong first half and we kept our composure in the end,” Kelly said. “We played pretty solid, we finished when we needed to.”

The De Anza head coach Cheryl Owiesny said she was pleased with the way her team played against a tough opponent like
Evergreen Valley.

“Scoring early is important,” Owiesny said. “It gives you the opportunity to exhale and focus.”

The De Anza women’s soccer team’s next game is on Tuesday Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. at
West Valley College.