Donation Needs for St. John's Program for Real Change
ELK GROVE, Calif. – The St. Francis varsity soccer team posted a 2-0 win over Elk Grove on Wednesday to win their fifth consecutive match.
"It was a huge win," said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson. "Elk Grove is a good opponent and last time we were up 3-0 with 10 minutes left and we got out with a 3-2 win. They are very dangerous and capable."
Seniors Jackie Koerwitz and Lindsey Porter provided the scoring and the Troubadour defense posted their 11th shutout of the season.
"We are playing pretty strong on the back line," said sophomore defender Hailey Lemon. "It has been pretty solid back there. We give it our all when go out there. We communicate well with each other and we are all friends so that helps."
Robinson credited the solid defense and play of Lemon and junior Marli Berry.
"They have done a great job of layering," said Robinson. "Both Marli and Hailey have done a great job of becoming a monster second defender. It makes a tremendous difference because we have them covering for us. They kept everything in front."
Koerwitz got the Troubadours on the board on a header off an assist by Janae DeFazio 28 minutes into the game.
"We had the ball a lot in the first half but we could not put it away," said Koerwitz. "We finally scored off a corner with Janae putting a perfect ball in and I was able to get by head on it. The momentum went up from there."
It was the fourth goal of the season for Koerwitz in her seventh game.
"Every single game I feel myself getting better," said Koerwitz. "I am getting more back to normal and I want to continue that for the rest of the season."
Porter scored in the second half on a penalty kick, converting a shot she missed against Elk Grove in the first meeting between the schools.
"Last time we played Elk Grove, I hit it wide (on a PK)," recalled Porter. "This time I chose the other corner and I buried it this time and put the game away."
St. Francis (14-2-3, 6-1) take on the No. 1 team in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com on Friday with Davis visiting the Troubadours.
"Davis is a big game and rivalry game and I am excited to play them at home," said Koerwitz.
The game starts at 4 p.m. on Friday at Cristo Rey High School. The program is collecting donations for St. John's Program for Real Change, a local neighborhood organization just outside the gates of the field at the school.
