SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The nationally-ranked St. Francis soccer team took on rival Davis Wednesday and the teams finished tied at 1-1 after exchanging second-half goals in the first meeting between the top two teams in the Delta League through the first month of the season.
"I am really proud," said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson. "I think we managed a lot of adversity not just in the numbers down but the way the game was played. There were factors that impacted us that were out of our control and we managed it. We were professional and had good sportsmanship and respected the game the way it should be played."
St. Francis (11-1-2) had two early chances go off the top cross bar as the Troubies tried to take the lead on the hoe field. The teams played primarily on the middle of the field, exchanging possession as they entered the half scoreless. Goalie Kim Riley held off the Devils from finding the net, recording four saves. The Troubies played down a player for the final 60 minutes after a red card.
Junior Jackie Stanco scored in the first minute of the second half off an assist by Emma Garvey to give the Troubadours a 1-0 advantage.
"It set the tempo for the second half," said Stanco, who leads the Delta League with 12 goals on the season. "It was really quick. It was not the prettiest goal but it got it done. It put more intensity in the second half and we came out stronger."
With the momentum, St. Francis looked to finish off the victory.
"It was fantastic and it gives you a little breathing room and confidence," said Robinson of the Stanco goal.
Davis (5-0-3) tied the game on a free kick off a restart on a penalty.
"It was such a good strike and I am proud of Mia," said Robinson. "She got a hand on it."
Neither team was able to break the tie in the final 20 minutes, the third tie in the last four meetings between the schools.
"Davis has been a tough opponent since I have been here," said Robinson. "It was a good opponent. Davis is always a circus. They are quality and organized and we had chances. We had a close one at the end. We were knocking on their door. It fares well for the next time we play them. It will be another exciting one."
The two teams will meet in Davis on February 7.
"It is a little bittersweet," said Stanco. "We got the score on them but we did not get the win that I thought we deserved."
"I think we really dominated in the first half but let up a little in the second on that free kick," said defender Maya Milliken. "Overall, we played our hearts and did all that we could do. We feel pretty good. We are disappointed we did not get the win but we worked really hard the entire game and came together as a team. We are proud of what we did."
