SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Yasmin Azar scored a goal and assisted two others to lead St. Francis to a 4-1 win in the varsity half of a girls' prep soccer doubleheader against Rio Americano, then sophomore Holland Sperber scored twice within the span of a minute to lead the Troubadours to a 3-1 win in the junior varsity nightcap.

Making the twinbill unusual was its site: the varsity opener took the form of a road game at Rio, while the JV contest was held at SF's home field of Cristo Rey's Adamson Family Sports Center. The absence of lighting at the Raiders' home turf forced the venue change for the JV matchup.

Azar assisted goals by Mia Barsotti and Sofia Rabinovitz to give St. Francis an early 2-0 lead. Then after Rio cut into that margin, senior Caitlin Hafenstein scored her fifth goal of the season on an assist from Giada Pagano to push the advantage to 3-1. Azar added an insurance goal in the second half for her sixth of the season.

The four total points – one goal and two assists – matches a season high for Azar. The Coastal Carolina signee had braces against both McClatchy (Dec. 5) and Pleasant Grove (Dec. 13) earlier this month.

Seniors Maggie Buffleben and Angelina Delaini each posted two saves for the Troubies.

Then across the river at CRHSS, St. Francis jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Norah White found the back of the net from the left flank in the 18th minute. That edge held up until Rio equalized on a putback in the 64th. Fortunately, the Troubies stormed back with consecutive goals by Sperber, with outlet passes from Lacey Harmon and Penelope Cole allowing the speeder striker to convert in the 65th and 66th.

Gianna Flesoras and Gabriela Briscoe platooned at goalkeeper for JV Gold. Flesoras stopped three shots in her shutout first half, while Briscoe notched perhaps the most picturesque save of the game in the 52nd. Rio sophomore Annie Laing launched a long shot that seemed on target to hit the top shelf of the net, but Briscoe punched the ball over the top to salvage a corner kick.

All three St. Francis teams return to action on Wednesday for a tripleheader at Oak Ridge. JV Red plays at 3:30, Gold at 5:00, with varsity finishing the night with a 7 p.m. tilt.