Soccer
St. Francis Soccer
13-Time Sac-Joaquin Section Champions:
1981, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014
21-Time League Champions
1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
Soccer Advances to Section Finals with Win over Granite Bay
Troubadours Reach Finals for First Time since 2011
GRANITE BAY, Calif. – Junior Anna Gregg scored with just over three minutes left to help fourth-seeded St. Francis post a 1-0 victory over top seed Granite Bay Tuesday afternoon. The Troubadours will meet the winner of the matchup between No. 2 Franklin and No. 3 Oak Ridge Saturday at a site and time to be announced.
“We got it to her where she needed to be and she did what she does best and found the back of the net,” said Head Coach Rosella Kelly. “She is solid on net.”
Freshmen Soccer Season Recap
Tijerino-Santos and Lopez Combine for 46 Goals
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis freshmen soccer team had an impressive season, showcasing the talent across the program. The Troubadours were led by first-year head coach Lindsey Mair and assistant Gabby Trenton.
Soccer Advances to Section Semifinals
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Anna Gregg scored two goals to help St. Francis build a 5-2 advantage and the Troubadours survived a late rally to prevail 5-4 in the Sac-Joaquin Section second round game Thursday afternoon. The Troubadours advance to the semifinals to be held Wednesday, May 14.
“It was the most stressful game of my life,” said junior Anna Gregg, who had two goals and an assist. “They fought back and hard but so did we. We proved to have the better team today. It feels so good because this game coming in was very evenly matched.”
Gregg Hopes to Continue Playoff Run against Enochs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – During spring break, the St. Francis campus was mostly quiet. But junior soccer player Anna Gregg still got her usual workouts in, pounding ball after ball into the net with her father retrieving each rocket off her leg.
Four Players Score in Soccer’s Playoff Opener
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Carmel Stralen scored 42 seconds into the game to help St. Francis post a 4-2 win over No. 13 seed Armijo in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
“It was very exciting,” said Stralen, a 5-5 midfielder from Sacramento. “It was good to start off strong so we had the momentum to do well for the rest of the game.”
Soccer Garners No. 4 Seed in Section Playoffs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis soccer team was awarded a No. 4 seed in the Sac Joaquin Section playoffs starting Tuesday, May 6. The Troubadours will host No. 13 Armijo out of the Monticello Empire League at 4 p.m. at St. Francis.
“I think it is fair,” said Head Coach Rosella Kelly, who is in her second season leading the program. “We are prepared for anything. We are going to do our best regardless. It is always nice to have the home-field advantage.”
Soccer Closes Home Schedule with Win over Sheldon
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis closed out its home regular season schedule with a 2-1 victory over Sheldon in the Senior Game. The Troubadours honored Mia Arostegui, Terra Carden, Nina Madsen, Ashley Kyalwazi and Jenna Mark in pregame ceremonies.
Junior Rachel Schaefer gave St. Francis the early 1-0, scoring off a header on an assist by Emma Granner. Sheldon tied the game later in the half.
“We really wanted to win to help get a good placement for playoffs,” said Schaefer, who scored her fourth goal of the season. “It was a good start to the game.”
Late Goal by Gregg Helps Soccer to Win over Folsom
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Anna Gregg scored with under a minute to play to propel St. Francis to a 1-0 victory over Folsom Tuesday afternoon.
“It was a great feeling,” said Gregg of her game winner. “My shots were a little wide most of the game. We had all those chances and that one came right to me and you have to finish them.”
The Troubadours recorded 26 shots in the game but it was the final one that counted. St. Francis improved to 15-2-5 and 4-1-2 in Delta River League action.
Soccer Garners Tie at Ponderosa
SHINGLE SPRINGS, Calif. – Junior Trinity Connaughton scored on an assist by sophomore Hailey Barrett and Allie Carmickle played a solid game in goal as St. Francis tied Ponderosa 1-1 Thursday afternoon.
It was the third consecutive game for the Troubadours over the last three days.
St. Francis is now 14-2-5 and 3-1-2 in Delta River League action.
It was the second goal of the season for Connaughton and first since the season-opening Cal Spring Classic, while Bailey recorded her team-best seventh assist of the season.
Pleasant Grove Snaps League Unbeaten Streak
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Pleasant Grove upset nationally-ranked No. 19 St. Francis Wednesday 2-1 in a Delta River League matchup.
Amanda Nelms put Pleasant Grove up 2-0 in the second half and the Eagles withstood a comeback effort by the Troubadours that included a game-tying goal that was waived off by the officials. Junior Anna Gregg scored her 19th goal of the season to pull within one and Lydia Molitor tied the game. But the goal was waived off to the disappointment of the SF bench and fans.
Soccer Ties Oak Ridge 1-1 on Vergara Goal
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Alex Vergara scored in the second half to help St. Francis record a tie against Oak Ridge and remain undefeated in Delta River League action. The Troubadours lead the league with a 3-0-1 record.
Oak Ridge (5-3-5, 2-0-3) took the lead on a penalty kick in the first half and led until Vergera scored on a corner kick off an assist by Hailey Barrett to tie it in the second half. The Troubadours (14-1-4) had 20 shots in the game.
Catie Brown and Mia Arostegui combined for seven saves in the contest.
Athletics Event Schedule (April 7-12)
All the spring sports will be in action this week prior to Spring Break. Here is a day-by-day breakdown of the Troubadour Athletics events for the week:
Upcoming St. Francis Athletic Events This Week
Tuesday, April 8
2:30 p.m.: Soccer (F) vs. Granite Bay (Mather Sport Center)
4:00 p.m., Softball (JV/V) at Sheldon
4:00/5:30 p.m: Soccer (V/JV) vs. Oak Ridge (St. Francis)
5:30/7:30 p.m.: Lacrosse (JV/V) vs. Oak Ridge (Mather Sports Center)
Wednesday, April 9
Gregg’s Hat Trick Leads Soccer at Sheldon
ELK GROVE, Calif. – Junior Anna Gregg scored three goals including the game winner in the second half to lead St. Francis to a 3-2 win over Sheldon Thursday.
St. Francis took the early lead on the first goal by Gregg in the first half. Sheldon responded with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead. Gregg tied the game before halftime to send the teams into the break with the game tied at 2.
April 1 Event Update
Soccer and Softball Canceled, Lax Will Play at Mather
Soccer Games against Pleasant Grove scheduled today at St. Francis Troubadour Athletics have been postponed. They have been re-scheduled for April 9 at St. Francis with the varsity at 4 p.m. and junior varsity at 5:30 p.m. Freshmen soccer practice and the St. Francis Varsity and JV softball games at Folsom have also been canceled. Lacrosse against Granite Bay at 5:30 and 7:30 will be played as scheduled at Mather Sports Center.
Freshmen Scores Six Goals in Win over Roseville
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis Freshman Savannah Tijerino-Santos scored six goals Friday night against Roseville. It was a career-high for Tijerino-Santos and the third time this season she has scored three or more goals in a game after recording hat tricks against Bella Vista and Del Campo.
“It was very exciting,” said Tijerino-Santos, who scored 39 goals for her middle school last season. “I try not to be selfish and pass the ball around to let other people score. When you are a forward, it is your job to score for the team.”
New Goalkeeper Coach Brings International Experience to St. Francis Soccer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Simon Sheppard joined the St. Francis soccer coaching staff this spring, assisting Head Coach Rosella Kelly with the goalkeepers at all three levels of the Troubadour program.
“You build relationships with all the young ladies and it is about building that trust factor and believing what you are telling them,” said Sheppard. “The girls are very open-minded and will benefit from that. I love to develop young people.”
Soccer Wins at Folsom with Goals by Cook, Gregg
FOLSOM, Calif. – Sophomore Meredith Cook and junior Anna Gregg both scored as St. Francis posted a 2-1 win over Folsom Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Troubadours improved to 13-1-2 and 2-0 in Delta River League action.
Cook put the Troubadours ahead with a goal in the first half, scoring her second goal of the season. Gregg added an insurance goal in the second half, recording her team-best 15th of the season. The goal proved beneficial as Folsom scored on a corner kick with under a minute to play.
Schaefer Records a Goal and Assist in Soccer’s Win over Ponderosa
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Rachel Schaefer scored a goal and assisted on a second to lead St. Francis to a 2-0 win over Ponderosa Tuesday afternoon to open Delta River League play.
The Troubadours and Bruins battled in a scoreless first half as goalie Mia Arostegui kept Ponderosa out of the net.
“I felt like we had control of the game,” said Head Coach Rosella Kelly. “We dominated more than they did but we could not find the back of the net in the first half. It was our main topic at halftime that we have to finish or it was going to be tough.”
Soccer Rolls over Del Campo Behind Gregg’s Hat Trick
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Anna Gregg recorded a hat trick for the second time in four days and the Troubadour defense posted a shut out to record a 6-0 win over Del Campo Tuesday afternoon.
“We started a little slow but we picked it up,” said Gregg. “We completed some good passes, moved the ball great and found the outside mids. We crossed it in with a negative outside ball. It was exactly how it was supposed to look like and it was beautiful.”
Soccer Falls in Christian Brothers Tournament Final
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Franklin defeated St. Francis in penalty kicks Saturday afternoon to win the Christian Brothers Tournament. It was the first loss for the Troubadours on the season.
“It was a great tournament,” said junior Anna Gregg. “We stuck it out and played hard. Our legs are tired and we played our hearts out. We are just unlucky it didn’t go in the goal.”