Posted: Jan 27, 2024
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Sofia Rabinovitz drew a foul well beyond the right corner of the penalty box and senior Yasmin Azar launched the ensuing free kick for a bar-in goal as St. Francis battled Christian Brothers to a 1-1 draw in the much-anticipated "Holy Cup" girls' soccer rivalry matchup at Cristo Rey High's Adamson Family Sports Complex Saturday afternoon.
The Troubadours move to 15-3-3, extending their undefeated streak to 13 games. They are also ranked second in the Sac-Joaquin Section on MaxPreps, trailing only Inderkum. The Falcons are now 7-4-4 for the year.
The lone SF goal came in the 37th, after CB junior Courtney Chin grabbed a handful of Rabinovitz' kit. Azar, who had a previous set play blocked by Falcon keeper Veronica O'Neill and another that sailed high of its target, fired in a shot that eluded O'Neill but caught a sliver of the cage before finding its way into the net. That 1-0 lead lasted into halftime and for 30 minutes of the second half, until CB equalized. Rachel Davis delivered a corner kick to the far side of the penalty box, and sophomore Marisela Gaeta popped a header over the St. Francis defense and into the cage.
The Falcons nearly tied the contest in the 50th minute when Genevieve Muskopf fired a free kick to the right upper corner of the frame, but Troubie keeper Angelina Delaini leaped up and snared the attempt. Delaini's stop was reminiscent of one SF starter Maggie Buffleben made in the sixth against Nari Crabtree.
St. Francis enjoyed numerous chances to add to the lead in the second half, with senior Tacori Abril coming off the bench to spark many of these opportunities. Credit CB defender Lorelai Hoey for clearing out an otherwise perfect Abril cross to Elizabeth Barger in the 58th. Troubie senior Mia Barsotti also drew fouls to give Azar more chances from the 20- to 30-yard range, but the Falcon wall blocked one and goalkeeper Reese Kennedy halted another. In fact, Kennedy stepped up for saves against Abril, Barsotti and Caitlin Hafenstein in the final 20 minutes, plus she jumped in to thwart another SF opportunity in the 67th. Hafenstein had returned to the game in Abril's place and sent a cross to Barger near the right side of the goal mouth. But instead of an easy header, Kennedy jumped on the pass before it could find its target.
Finally, SF had another near miss in the 75th, when defender Stella Bacsafra sent a ball to Hafenstein near the left post. Hafenstein collided with CB senior Sydney Laird, allowing Kennedy to corral the loose ball before any more Troubies could advance into the 18.
Saturday's finale marked the fifth time in the last seven meetings that the two teams have played to a draw. The Falcons and Troubies tied 1-1 in the matchup almost exactly two years prior. The 2017-18 and 2018-19 editions each ended in scoreless outings, then just five days after that Dec. 3, 2018 matchup at Hughes Stadium, they battled to a 1-1 draw in the Rocklin Invitational.
The varsity game followed a 2-0 shutout victory for St. Francis' JV Gold. Freshman Norah White scored in the 11th minute, then assisted Madeline Squaglia in the 53rd to double the margin. White also drew two penalty kicks along the way, but her first such attempt caught the upright while the second was stopped by freshman Mackenzie Aurich's diving save.
Overall, JV Gold dominated the game, allowing just four shots – the first of which was blocked by defender Charlotte Lippi – with only one on goal. Gianna Flesoras and Gabriela Briscoe combined for the shutout, guarding the SF cage for 60 and 20 minutes, respectively.
Although CB does not have a frosh-soph squad, JV Red took part in Saturday's event by hosting River City's JV for the morning opener. Sophomore Liv Vasques-Martin fired in a goal from roughly 35 yards out in the 50th minute, but the Raiders pulled away from a scoreless first half to a 3-1 win. River City's JV holds a 12-2-1 record, and had surrendered only two goals in a 6-0-1 stretch heading into Saturday.
St. Francis varsity and JV Gold return to action on Friday for a Senior Night doubleheader against Elk Grove. JV Red hosts Rocklin on Monday at 3:30 in a game either at St. Francis or at CRHSS, depending on field conditions. Families will be notified via FinalForms and fans via GoTroubies.com if Monday's venue changes.
The Troubadours move to 15-3-3, extending their undefeated streak to 13 games. They are also ranked second in the Sac-Joaquin Section on MaxPreps, trailing only Inderkum. The Falcons are now 7-4-4 for the year.
The lone SF goal came in the 37th, after CB junior Courtney Chin grabbed a handful of Rabinovitz' kit. Azar, who had a previous set play blocked by Falcon keeper Veronica O'Neill and another that sailed high of its target, fired in a shot that eluded O'Neill but caught a sliver of the cage before finding its way into the net. That 1-0 lead lasted into halftime and for 30 minutes of the second half, until CB equalized. Rachel Davis delivered a corner kick to the far side of the penalty box, and sophomore Marisela Gaeta popped a header over the St. Francis defense and into the cage.
The Falcons nearly tied the contest in the 50th minute when Genevieve Muskopf fired a free kick to the right upper corner of the frame, but Troubie keeper Angelina Delaini leaped up and snared the attempt. Delaini's stop was reminiscent of one SF starter Maggie Buffleben made in the sixth against Nari Crabtree.
St. Francis enjoyed numerous chances to add to the lead in the second half, with senior Tacori Abril coming off the bench to spark many of these opportunities. Credit CB defender Lorelai Hoey for clearing out an otherwise perfect Abril cross to Elizabeth Barger in the 58th. Troubie senior Mia Barsotti also drew fouls to give Azar more chances from the 20- to 30-yard range, but the Falcon wall blocked one and goalkeeper Reese Kennedy halted another. In fact, Kennedy stepped up for saves against Abril, Barsotti and Caitlin Hafenstein in the final 20 minutes, plus she jumped in to thwart another SF opportunity in the 67th. Hafenstein had returned to the game in Abril's place and sent a cross to Barger near the right side of the goal mouth. But instead of an easy header, Kennedy jumped on the pass before it could find its target.
Finally, SF had another near miss in the 75th, when defender Stella Bacsafra sent a ball to Hafenstein near the left post. Hafenstein collided with CB senior Sydney Laird, allowing Kennedy to corral the loose ball before any more Troubies could advance into the 18.
Saturday's finale marked the fifth time in the last seven meetings that the two teams have played to a draw. The Falcons and Troubies tied 1-1 in the matchup almost exactly two years prior. The 2017-18 and 2018-19 editions each ended in scoreless outings, then just five days after that Dec. 3, 2018 matchup at Hughes Stadium, they battled to a 1-1 draw in the Rocklin Invitational.
The varsity game followed a 2-0 shutout victory for St. Francis' JV Gold. Freshman Norah White scored in the 11th minute, then assisted Madeline Squaglia in the 53rd to double the margin. White also drew two penalty kicks along the way, but her first such attempt caught the upright while the second was stopped by freshman Mackenzie Aurich's diving save.
Overall, JV Gold dominated the game, allowing just four shots – the first of which was blocked by defender Charlotte Lippi – with only one on goal. Gianna Flesoras and Gabriela Briscoe combined for the shutout, guarding the SF cage for 60 and 20 minutes, respectively.
Although CB does not have a frosh-soph squad, JV Red took part in Saturday's event by hosting River City's JV for the morning opener. Sophomore Liv Vasques-Martin fired in a goal from roughly 35 yards out in the 50th minute, but the Raiders pulled away from a scoreless first half to a 3-1 win. River City's JV holds a 12-2-1 record, and had surrendered only two goals in a 6-0-1 stretch heading into Saturday.
St. Francis varsity and JV Gold return to action on Friday for a Senior Night doubleheader against Elk Grove. JV Red hosts Rocklin on Monday at 3:30 in a game either at St. Francis or at CRHSS, depending on field conditions. Families will be notified via FinalForms and fans via GoTroubies.com if Monday's venue changes.
