ROCKLIN, Calif. – Junior midfielder Micaela Romo performed a hat trick to lead five scorers in a 7-0 win over Del Campo to advance St. Francis varsity to the title match, but the Troubadours ultimately lost by a 2-1 final to co-host Whitney in the finale. 

St. Francis went 3-1 in the tournament to move to 5-1-1 for the year.

Romo converted an assist from Jaycee DeFazio in the 19th minute in the first half of the Del Campo win, then netted both scores after a 5-0 halftime lead. DeFazio also assisted a goal by Audrey Shackelford in the final minutes before the break for two dimes.

Mika Shinoda (7th), Caroline Murdoch (12th) and Elise Thomas (24th) also scored in the win over the Cougars, helping the Troubies to their highest single-game total since the season opener against Rio Americano.

The morning victory locked up the top seed of the tourney for St. Francis, which had posted two shutout wins the day before. The Troubies threatened on numerous occasions in the first half but could not get on the board. A Madeline Welch caromed off the left post in the 10th minute, a flurry of shots in the 22nd could not enter the goal mouth, then a Shackelford missile went to the center of frame where the Wildcat keeper was there for the save.

Whitney took the initial lead early in the second with a blast from beyond the box that found some daylight in the upper left corner. DeFazio, who recently entered as a sub, equalized for the Troubies in the 46th with her long counter attack. However, that celebration proved short-lived: Whitney's senior striker Angela Shannon scored on a set play minutes later to lift the 'Cats to the 2-1 lead.

SFHS seniors Murdoch and Sofia Flores both managed strong shots down the stretch but both sailed right of the target.

The Troubadours return home for a Delta League meeting against Sheldon on Tuesday. The game begins at 4 p.m. at Cristo Rey High School.