SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Lindsey Piatanesi scored the game-winning goal with 21:45 left in the second half to give St. Francis a 2-1 victory in the season opener against Rio Americano Tuesday night at Cristo Rey High School.

"It feels really great," said Piatanesi, who signed with Chico State during the early signing period. "I have been super excited to play and I have been looking forward to it since out NorCal game last season. I am happy to contribute to the team with the winning goal."

St. Francis (1-0) was tied 1-1 in the second half when Piatanesi put in a rebound off a Taylor Earle shot that rebounded in front of the goal and was stopped initially.

Piatanesi led the team in goals as a junior including the game winner in the CIF Northern California Regional final.

"It feels really good because the quality of the opponent was really good," said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson. "Rio presses you and makes you work. To absorb some pressure and handle it to manage as well as we did makes the victory all the more important."

The Troubadours got their first goal of the season two minutes into the game from junior Jackie Stanco, a University of Arizona commit, in her first game in the red and gold. She sat out last season after transferring to SF.

"It is pretty exciting because I have been waiting to contribute to the team," said Stanco. "We stepped up today and picked it up when we needed to. I was happy I was part of it."

Robinson was impressed with the effort from Stanco, who was assisted by Jane Gregory.

"She gets major style points," said Robinson. "It was quality individual brilliance there. We played her in and takes on a dribble. She made this third cut out of nowhere and unbalanced everybody and passes it in. It was a great individual effort. She waited a year for that and to be able to show her creativity and rewarded was great."

Rio Americano tied the game at 1 and the game remained tied until Piatanesi's goal in the second.

"The win gives us a sense of confidence that we know what we are doing and can deliver in hard times to come up with a win," said Stanco.

St. Francis plays in the Rocklin Invitational starting Thursday at 4:30 p.m. against Bella Vista a Rocklin Stadium. The Troubies are the defending champions in the event. SF also plays Vista del Lago on Friday at 11 a.m. at Whitney HS and host Rocklin Friday night at 6:30 p.m.