SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Freshman forward Holland Sperber scored on an assist from Audrey Deelstra in the third minute of play as St. Francis' JV Red squad played Oak Ridge's JV Blue to a 1-1 draw in girls' prep soccer action Monday afternoon.
The Troubadours move to 10-3-3 for the year. The Trojans remain undefeated at 14-0-1.
Sperber's goal represents the first by any opponent against Oak Ridge this year, as JV Blue had outscored foes by a combined 54-0 heading into the contest. It came on the first shot by either team, with Deelstra sending a cross from the left side into Sperber, who had only the Trojan goalkeeper to beat. The scoring tally is Sperber's team-leading 15th of the year, while Deelstra now has three assists.
St. Francis' lead held up for 24 minutes, with Ava Larkin and Izzy Duffy each blocking shots on the defensive end during that span. Oak Ridge equalized in the 27th on Kaylee Starkel's corner kick to Annika Voorhies on the right side of the box.
Neither team scored in the second half, although St. Francis had opportunities despite playing uphill and against the wind after the break. Penelope Cole put two shots on goal in the first six minutes, but the Trojan keeper was there for saves on each. Three Troubie set pieces also nearly resulted in scores: Ava Larkin's corner kick in the 53rd almost had an ORHS own goal, but the ball sailed high. Katherine Gorman's free kick was deflected beyond the left post, then Mia Nelson delivered an excellent serve into the box, barely out of reach from Sperber for a potential goal.
On the SF defensive end, Aubrey Lesnau recorded 12 total saves – five in the first half, seven in the second – at keeper. Kate Stallings also ran down a Trojan player on a counterattack in the final stretch, neutralizing a potential go-ahead attempt at the cage.
St. Francis JV Red returns to action on Friday against River City JV, an opponent that replaced Rio Americano in that night's doubleheader against Cristo Rey. The two older Troubie squads also return home to CR, with varsity and JV Gold hosting Sheldon at 4 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday night.
