FOLSOM, Calif. – The St. Francis lacrosse team lost to Granite Bay 17-3 in the Sacramento Valley Lacrosse League semifinals on Tuesday at Granite Bay High School.
Sophomore Maggie Price, senior Jade Borg and junior Grace Barger scored for the Troubadours in the contest.
Despite the score, Head Coach Julia Southard was happy with improvements the team made on the defensive end.
"We have been struggling defensively and just making stops as a unit," said Head Coach Julia Southard. "We had a heart and heart and I challenged them to make the adjustments. It translated and made adjustment while communicating more. They played as a unit and it was beautiful lacrosse."
Price opened the game scoring at the 23:45 mark to give SF the early lead. But the Grizzlies' pressure helped them build a 10-2 lead the half.
"Athletically we can match with any team that we play," said Southard. "The other teams just have more seasoned lacrosse players. Our kids need to get sticks in their hands and get more comfortable with stick work under pressure. Once we get there we will be playing with everybody."
St. Francis will await a potential North Coast Section playoff bid. Brackets are announced on Sunday, May 5 with opening round play on Tuesday, May 7 at school sites.
"We need to focus solely on us and give out best every game," said Southard.
Southard called up two players for the playoffs: Bella McCullough and Arianna Ross.
McCullough made her varsity debut in the game.
"She did better than expected," said Southard. "She brings a different presence in the cage. We wanted to try a new look and she exceeded expectations. She made a lot of point-blank saves. She kept us in it more than we could have expected."
Granite Bay 17, St. Francis 3
GB – Usher 5, Jones 3, Griffiths 3, Johnson 2, Kappos 2, Diemer, Perez. SF – Barger, Borg, Price.
North Coast Section Bracket Link
