SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis water polo team scored three straight goals to cut the deficit to one with just under four minutes to play but Davis pulled away in the final minutes to post an 11-7 victory at Jesuit High School Tuesday night.

“I felt like we seemed to be in control most of the game,” said Head Coach Heather Moody. “It was just small little mistakes that we made that they really capitalized on. In the fourth quarter, they really stepped it up a bit.”

Trailing 8-4 with 1:22 left in the third period, the Troubadours scored three unanswered goals to tighten the contest. Lauren Charter scored with just under a minute left to cut the Blue Devil lead to three entering the final period.

“We were really positive and trying to get the momentum going to get a comeback,” said Marisa Zanobini. “We all wanted this really badly. We need to stay strong throughout the game and keep it going during the game.”

Marisa Zanobini scored twice in a row to pull St. Francis within 8-7 with 3:53 left. But Davis was able to finish off with three straight goals to close the game and post the four-goal advantage.

Moody was pleased with the effort and late charge by the Troubadours.

“It showed that our conditioning is paying off and the desire to compete,” said Moody. “We are getting to where we are going to be finishing off games strong.”

Marisa Zanobini, a resident of Davis, led the scoring for the Troubies. Julie Zanobini scored the first goal of the game to give St. Francis the early lead. Other goal scorers included Hannah Frech, Emily Reinl and Cherie Murbach.

“It was Marisa’s night scoring two goals but it really could have been any of the girls stepping up and doing that,” said Moody. “It is a part of making sure our team is getting deeper and deeper.”

Davis (18-7, 5-0 DVL) was led by four goals by Lauren Owens and three each by Heather Johnson and Colby Stapleton.

St. Francis dropped to 13-9 on the season and 4-1 in Delta Valley League action.

“It was a good learning experience but the real game that counts is section finals,” said Marisa Zanobini.

The Troubadours will host Bella Vista Wednesday night at 7:15 p.m. for Senior Night. The JV team will also take on Bella Vista at 6 p.m.

“It is a great opportunity to honor the seniors and celebrate them,” said Moody. “I feel really honored to have had the opportunity to coach the seniors. It will be interesting and I am sure a little emotional but we still have the playoffs.”

DAVIS 11, ST. FRANCIS 7

D-Owens 4; Stapleton 3; Johnson 3; Dominguez. SF-M. Zanobini 2; Charter; Frech, Murbach, E. Reinl, J. Zanobini.