SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis soccer team scored three unanswered goals to comeback and post a 3-2 win over Christian Brothers in the Holy Cup matchup at Hughes Stadium Thursday night.

“Amazing team effort and character,” said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson. “I am very impressed especially under the conditions.”

Christian Brothers (5-1) scored early to take the lead in the contest and added a second goal early in the second half. Sophomore A.J. Tanner  got the Troubadours back in the game with a strong second half, scoring twice to tie the score.

“A.J. found a way and she was fantastic,” said Robinson. “To be honest, she was a little disappointed how she played on Tuesday and she was a little low. One of the challenges of playing in the middle of the field is you get pressure from all sides. It might have rattled her early on.”

The first goal came on a cross from Darby Carillo to Tanner who controlled it and finished to get SF on the board 14 minutes into the second half. She then tied the game 10 minutes later off a cross from sophomore Lindsey Porter.

“Here is a team that is fast and technical and she battled defensively which is one of her strengths,” said Robinson. “That is huge for us. All of sudden, boom-boom, she gets us back in the game. It was fantastic. It was good, smart hard work.”

Tanner said the team never doubted themselves despite trailing early and falling behind by two goals in the second half.

“I am very excited,” said Tanner. “It was kinda hard in the first half but in the second half we pulled it out for the win. I am very proud of the team. “We were all motivating each other. It was a sisterhood motivation.”

Sophomore Janae DeFazio provided the game winner in the final minute. Senior Savannah Tijerino-Santos gained possession off a tackle and DeFazio dribbled forward before slotting it in the goal for her third goal of the season.

“It was not just my two goals I would say it was a team effort building from the back,” said Tanner. “It was all the team work. But I am very proud that I could get on the end of it and get a win for the team.”

St. Francis (2-0) returns to action on Tuesday at Rocklin at 4 p.m.

“It feels amazing,” said DeFazio. “It was exciting. We never gave up.”

SF Goals – Tanner 2, DeFazio. SF Assists – Carillo, Porter, Tijerino-Santos.