TOKAY, Calif. – Eileen Walsh scored two goals and St. Francis played a solid game defensively to post a 6-4 victory over St. Mary’s in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Water Polo team championships.

Walsh tied the game in the second quarter at one and gave the Troubies a 3-1 lead early in the fourth that sparked a four-goal period.

“Our main goal in the fourth quarter was making sure we were ready to go,” said Head Coach Heather Moody. “Our tendency during the season was to start the fourth quarter off really slow and that is when teams came back on us. Coming out right away to take a two-point lead was huge.”

Leading 3-1, Maggie Oys scored to push the lead to 4-1 and Marisa Zanobini scored back-to-back goals to extend the lead to five with 4:23 left.

“Following it up with three goals, it gave us a cushion knowing St. Mary’s was never going to give up,” said Moody. “Madasonne Butler is an amazing player. She generates a lot of offense so we needed to make sure we marked her well to try to eliminate as many shots as possible. She still hurt us but we had that cushion.”

St. Mary’s scored three straight goals in the fourth to cut the lead to 6-4 but the Troubadours were able to close it out for the victory. Butler and Sara Monckton each scored twice for the Rams.

“They were really coming on strong but I knew we could hold them in the end,” said Walsh. “Our defense was staying really strong and Sophie (Rubino) was making some great saves.”

Rubino finished the game with 10 saves.

“We have been looking for this for many years now,” said Walsh. “It was good to get revenge and beat them again.”

St. Francis returns to the Tokay High School pool to face Granite Bay on Wednesday at Noon. The Grizzlies advanced with a win over Vintage on Monday.

“They are a very physical team and they have some really good outside threats, as well as a good center,” said Moody. “We are going to need to play really good team defense.”

SJS SECTION WATER POLO PLAYOFFS

ST. FRANCIS 6, ST. MARY’S 4

SF-Marisa Zanobini 2, Eileen Wash 2, Brinnley Barthels, Maggie Oys. SM-Sara Monckton 2, Madasonne Butler 2.