SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The 17th-ranked and top-seeded St. Francis soccer team posted a 4-0 shutout over Rio Americano to advance into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals.
"In the playoffs, every day is a gift," said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson. "We are really fortunate to finish our chances. That is what scoring does. They are running out of time and have to make adjustments. We handle the adjustments and they are exposed in the back and we ice it."
Junior Lindsey Piatanesi scored her third goal of the playoffs and 13th on the season off her own rebound off the cross bar to give St. Francis a 1-0 lead in the first half in the 15th minute.
"We have good leadership and they handle adversity," said Robinson. "It got chippy and it got physical and they handled it. I am really proud of them. It took us all season to get here and I think we are in a good place."
After the half, the Troubadours put the game away with three goals. Junior Grace Barger connected two minutes into the half.
"It was like my goal against Cosumnes Oaks with a scramble in front of the net," said Barger. "There were a couple of deflections and I was able to get a foot on it and the goalkeeper was out."
The game remained a 2-0 before seniors Elise Urkov and Lindsey Porter scored back-to-back goals a minute part 30 minutes into the second half.
"We talked at halftime about our second gear," said Urkov. "We ramped it up in the second half and it showed in our play and effort."
Goalie Gigi Koerwitz posted the shutout in the net with nine saves and SF defense held the Raiders (12-4-2) scoreless for just the third time this season and ended their eight-game unbeaten streak.
"It was a great win and there was so much emotion going into this game considering they beat us last year," said Barger. "It is always high emotions as another Sacramento school that is a rival. It felt really good to get a couple goals and finish it off in the end. We have not been out of the second round in a couple years. It is feels awesome. It is a special group of girls."
St. Francis extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games, recording their fifth consecutive win to improve to 19-2-4 overall. The Troubies are ranked No. 17 TopDrawerSoccer.com Fab 50 high school poll.
"It feels great and we worked together," said Porter. "We got one goal and the momentum kept going. We held them and did not let them score."
The Troubadours will host a semifinal game on Tuesday, Feb. 19 against Lincoln, who posted a 2-0 win over Woodland. Other winners in DII included No. 2 Whitney and No. 3 Ponderosa.
"We need to focus on the next task, building on our momentum and creating," said Porter. "I think we will do well."
The coaches and players praised the large crowd that filled the stands at Cristo Rey High School.
"It was amazing to look up and see the whole stands filled up," said Urkov. "It felt good to ave everybody supporting and cheering us on."
Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children and seniors.
Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Results
No. 1 St. Francis 4, No. 8 Rio Americano 0
No. 12 Lincoln 2, No. 13 Woodland 0
No. 3 Ponderosa 5, Central Valley 1
No. 2 Whitney 3, No. 7 St. Mary's 0
