MODESTO, Calif. – Junior Lauren Charter scored three times to lead St. Francis to a 17-3 win over Atwater in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Water Polo team championships.

Charter led a 17-goal attack that had five players score multiple goals. Senior Brinnley Barthels and sophomore Jennalyn Barthels each found the cage two times. Sophomore Maggie Oys and junior Emily Reinl also scored twice in the contest.

The Troubadours also got goals by Hannah Milanowki, Jenna Bellinger, Eileen Walsh, Caroline Urkov and Julie Zanobini. Alyssa Tambornini scored her first varsity goal after joining the team for the playoffs.

Senior Sophie Rubino had seven saves in goal for St. Francis.

St. Francis will return to the pool at 11 a.m. against St. Mary’s at the Tokay High School in Lodi. St. Mary’s posted a 20-7 victory over Modesto earlier in the day.

The two schools split two meetings during the regular season. St. Mary’s won 6-3 at the Woodcreek Tournament, while St. Francis posted a 9-8 on the road on Oct. 16.

SJS SECTION WATER POLO PLAYOFFS

ST. FRANCIS 17, ATWATER 3

SF-Charter 3, B. Barthels 2, J. Barthels 2, E. Reinl 2, M. Oys 2, Milanowski, Bellinger, Walsh, Urkov, J. Zanobini, Tambornini. A-Brown, Goodnight, Sanchez.