Junior Scores First Goal Since Return from Knee Injury

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Anne Ayotte scored her first goal since returning from a knee injury that cost her the entire sophomore season, providing a positive note in a 2-1 loss to Bella Vista on Tuesday at Granite Regional Park.

“Bella Vista tried to clear it and didn’t and I shot it with my left into the corner,” said Ayotte. “It feels so good. It is my first goal since I have gotten back so it was fun.”

Ayotte’s goal came in the 36th minute, tying the score at 1 after Bella Vista sophomore Megan Rucker had struck first 17 minutes into the contest on a free kick. The Broncos got the kick after a foul just outside the box.

“It is fantastic,” said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson about Ayotte. “It is hard. Just because you are back playing, it is not the same. Everyone thinks you just play again. She did well and managed. It was a good goal and I am not surprised. I am really glad to see it. It is a confidence builder and helps her realize she belongs and will get her going.”

Ayotte suffered the injury during tryouts a season ago but was kept on the team my Robinson despite not being a healthy option.

“It was hard,” said Ayotte about sitting out the season. “If I am going to do it, I am glad I am at St. Francis to cheer on such a good team.”

She was appreciated by her Troubie teammates, who are happy to see her back in uniform this season.

“Anne is such a loyal and great teammate,” said senior captain Allie Cloninger. “She came out to all of our games last year even though she knew she could not play. It was pretty heart-breaking for her to go out to early in the season during tryouts. She came back this year and is stronger than ever. She put one away for today. It was awesome.”

She said getting back to running was the hardest part of her rehab. She felt awkward and not in rhythm. It was a long process but she made it back. After returning for a brief stint (10 minutes) with her club, Davis Legacy, Ayotte, who lives in Dixon, now she feels 100 percent.

“I want her to have a defensive presence and that is even harder,” said Robinson. “I raised the bar for her because not only does she need to play and be confident – she needs to stick some tackles.”

Unfortunately for the Troubies, Ayotte’s goal was the lone highlight on Tuesday. The team entered the half tied before BV scored in the 51st minute on a counter, recording the first goal against the Troubadours in the run of play on the season.

“We have to do better in the attacking third,” said Robinson. “We had chance after chance. It where we have to be better. Today we were more dangerous than we have been all season. So I feel good about it. It is just going to take longer than we want.”

St. Francis (2-2-1) hosts Rocklin on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at Granite Regional Park.

“If we work on our communication, we can get there,” said Ayotte. “It is a solvable problem. Once we do that we will good.”

Both Junior Varsity teams won on Tuesday. The JV Red team got four goals from Larkin Stephenson to roll El Camino 14-0 and JV Gold survived 1-0 over Bella Vista on a goal by Lexi Taylor.