EBAL soccer title for Dons, wrestling for Falcons EBAL soccer title for Dons, wrestling for Falcons (February 13, 2004)

First title is dream come true for Foothill wrestlers
by Heidi Massie

The Dons used a Jeremy Dunn goal to lift Amador Valley High to a 2-1 soccer victory last week and secure the EBAL Championship.

Granada scored first to take a 1-0 lead, but it woke up the Dons who responded with their strong passing game. At 38:57 of the first half, Dan Poe made a strong run on the right flank and sent a crossing ball into the Granada box. There, Dylan Curtis one-timed a shot to the far post and tucked the ball in the net for a 1-1 tie. Dunn's final goal, with assistance from Alex Amador, sealed the win at 79:30 of the second half.

Amador's mind-set is now focused on the NCS playoffs that begin next week.
Boys Wrestling

For the first time in school history, Foothill brought home the EBAL wrestling championship - a four-year dream come true for seniors Kevin Randel, Kyle Foy, Steven Rodenkirk and Jason Valenzuela.

The Falcons pounded Livermore 52-18, and improved their undefeated record to 5-0 in league. Rodenkirk (191) gave the team a big lead with a pin in 58 seconds, followed by Valenzuela's (137) win of 11-1. Foy (173) pinned his opponent in 3:55, and Randel (142) sealed the win with a pin at 3:57.

Contributing to the match win were Nick Braillard (127), Tom McCarrick (162), Kellen Aura (105), Phil Boyer (114) and Phil Mishaga (217).
Girls Wrestling

Amador freshman Lauren Neves finished fourth in the state wrestling meet last Saturday in Vallejo. Neves finished third in Region I last week, which got her to the state match.

"That's awesome," said coach Joe Rose of Neves' finish. "She's fourth in the state with three more years to go. She's got a bright future."
Boys Basketball

Foothill's basketball victory over Monte Vista last Friday came as a team effort, winning 58-48 and improving their record to 15-7 overall, 5-3 EBAL. Coming off the Falcons' bench, Andrew Steudle scored 6 points and had 11 rebounds, giving Foothill the extra energy to win. The Falcons' leader Adam Greenaway shot for a game high of 16 points. Greenaway, a top scorer in the league, has shot for 124 total points this season with a 15.5 average.

Amador improved to 15-7, 6-2 EBAL with a 62-51 home court victory over Monte Vista last week. The Dons jumped out to an early 15-4 lead and ended the first play period leading 19-10. After Monte Vista tied the score at 44 early in the fourth, the Dons' Gulian Guisti shot for two baskets, followed by Dan Grenter's 3-pointer, giving Amador a 7-point advantage. Monte Vista attempted to rally when Stuart Yoshida and Grenter restored the lead to 7. Amador outscored the Mustangs 18-9 in the final period for the win.

The seniors led the scoring with Andy Bocian's game high 26 points, Yoshida with 13, Guisti contributed 10 and Grenter 9. Bocian leads the league with 212 total points.
Girls Soccer

The freshman Dons (10-8) closed the soccer season by playing the league's four toughest teams, coming away with only one win, but also a boost to their morale in their 2-0 loss to league powerhouse Carondelet on Saturday.

"Better? It was a whole new team," said coach Neil Bello. "A whole new attitude. It was all about hustle, desire and intensity and wanting to win. We showed them what our capabilities and potential really can be."

Against Carondelet, the Amador defense, anchored by Colleen Norlander and Alicia Fraticelli, kept the Cougars off the board in the second half. Alexa Kulik and Kim Learned shot for goals but the stout Cougar defense turned them away.

Games scheduled week of 2/13 - 2/19
Friday Boys Soccer Amador at Foothill, 3:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball Amador vs. Granada, Frosh 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Var. 7 p.m. Foothill at California, Frosh 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Var. 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball Amador at Granada, Frosh 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Var. 7 p.m. Foothill vs. California, Frosh 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Var. 7 p.m.
Tuesday Girls Basketball Amador at California, Frosh 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Var. 7 p.m. Foothill vs. Granada, Frosh 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Var. 7 p.m.

Wednesday Boys Soccer Amador at NCS Championships, TBA
Boys Basketball Amador vs. California, Frosh 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Var. 7 p.m. Foothill at Granada, Frosh 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Var. 7 p.m.
Thursday Girls Wrestling Amador hosts EBAL JV Championships, TBA

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