DAVIS, Calif. – Senior Rachel Schaefer scored a first-half goal and seniors Catie Brown and Allie Carmickle played an amazing game in goal to lead No. 5. seed St. Francis to a 1-0 victory over Davis Wednesday.

“Davis is a great team and they are by far the best team we have faced,” said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson. “We had to make some adjustments and we did. Mostly, we played as a team. We had some individual matchups I felt good about.”

St. Francis advances to play Franklin in a Delta League rematch Saturday at 4 p.m. at Cosumnes Oaks High School. The Troubadours are the defending champion and enter the championship after upsetting the No. 1 team in the bracket for the second consecutive season. St. Francis upset Granite Bay last season before defeating Oak Ridge in the final.

Goalkeepers Catie Brown and Allie Carmickle combined for the shutout, handing Davis just their second loss of the season.

“The goalkeepers were huge,” said Robinson. “Catie had a great first half and Allie kept clean in the back in the second. Both team’s goalkeepers were tested, hit the post and had great chances.”

Schaefer scored on a corner kick in the first half that bounced in front of the goal.

“I thought Hailey was going to hit it and Hailey and their defender missed it and I was right in front of the goal and had the opportunity to put it in,” said Schaefer.

St. Francis took advantage of the early goal in the first half with the wind advantage.

“We did a great job of creating some really dangerous and interesting chances,” said Robinson.

Robinson credited the St. Francis crowd with helping the team in the second half.

“The crowd was fantastic,” said Robinson. “We had a great showing from the school and the St. Francis community. The last 10 minutes the entire sideline was screaming in support and that energy transferred into the players.”

Schaefer agreed with her coach about the support.

“It really got us all pumped and rallied up,” said Schaefer.

St. Francis (19-2-2) will look to capture its 14th soccer section title and second consecutive on Saturday. St. Francis will play Franklin (19-2). The two teams split two meetings during the season.

“It feels great,” said Schaefer. “We have an opportunity. We just got to take it.”

St. Francis will play Franklin of Elk Grove at 4 p.m. at Cosumnes Oaks High School.

Sac-Joaquin Section Soccer Semifinals

ST. FRANCIS 1, DAVIS 0

SF – Schaefer.