FAIR OAKS, Calif. – Sophomore Keira Miles scored four goals, including three in the first 11 minutes, freshman goalkeeper Jayel Miller posted nine saves and an interception, while the Troubadour defense held the Lancer attack in check, as St. Francis of Sacramento dispatched Saint Francis of Mountain View, 7-5, in the varsity opener of Saturday's non-league girls' varsity lacrosse doubleheader at Bella Vista High.

The Troubies improve to 2-1 for the season. The Lancers, who had scored 45 goals in the first three games of the year, slip to 3-1 overall.

Miles scored twice within the first 93 seconds of the contest, then midfielder Elizabeth Barger's steal of a Lancer clear attempt gave way to a Brynley Hodge transition goal with 5:49 to go, propelling the Troubies to a 3-0 start. Junior Mia Sparacino scored the first of her team-leading four goals in the 10th minute to put the Lancers on the board, but Miles soon completed her hat trick on a feed from Olivia Hamm with 1:13 to go.

However, that proved to be the last Troubadour goal until well into the second half, as Lancer Joss Thomas stepped up for five saves in the second quarter alone. Miles added her fourth goal with 8:38 to go in the third, with Jane Tattersall closing the period with a long counterattack that began with Ellis' steal on the defensive end. Hodge converted an assist from Karly Okamoto at the 6:36 mark in the fourth to bring the score to 7-3.

St. Francis of Sac dominated the draw, winning 12 of 14 balls around the center circle. Hodge controlled five, Miles had another four, while junior Zia Smith – who handled the actual draw itself – picked up another two. Despite this, the Lancers largely controlled possession in the second half, with Miller posting seven saves after the break. Both Miller and head coach Julia Southard credited the defensive unit of Brianna McGahan, Sara Ellis, Cami Zucker and May Conlin for their work in keeping the Lancers from erasing the Troubie lead.

Sparacino scored on a quick stick and Kayla Kronthal converted an eight-meter opportunity in the final minutes to close the final gap to two goals.

The Troubies' defensive victory avenges the opposite outcome from almost exactly one year ago: the Lancers hosted this meeting on March 7, coming away with a 14-13 victory.

The two junior varsity teams squared off in the nightcap in a rare varsity-first doubleheader, with the Lancers rolling to a 10-0 victory. However, a highlight for the Troubie jayvees was the play of their two goalkeepers. Junior Reese Lieuwen made her debut in the crease, responding with seven saves in the first half. Then Claire Gabri took over in the second, adding another 10 stops against just two goals.

Sophomore attacker Jordan Fardig led the Lancers with four goals and three assists, with Josephine Miln adding a hat trick.

The two Troubadour squads compete in three road doubleheaders in the upcoming week: at Del Oro on Monday, Woodcreek on Tuesday, and Granite Bay on Saturday.