ELK GROVE, Calif. – Seniors Caitlin Hafenstein and Yasmin Azar each scored first-half goals while goalkeeper Angelina Delaini notched four saves in her 40 minutes in front of the cage, leading St. Francis to a 2-0 win over Elk Grove in the varsity opener of a Delta League girls' soccer doubleheader Wednesday night.

The Troubadours improve to 11-3-1 overall and 4-1 in league play.

Hafenstein broke up the scoreless tie in the 20th minute when her shot glanced off the Thundering Herd keeper and into the net. Azar then made it 2-0 with her steal and transition goal with about 6:30 left in the half. Delaini shared the shutout with senior Maggie Buffleben, who halted the only shot on goal she faced after the break.

Overall, St. Francis managed a total of 30 shots.

 

The Troubies' JV Gold squad followed the varsity win with a 4-0 shutout of the Herd, with sophomore Holland Sperber posting her second hat trick in the span of three games. In fact, she has scored at least two goals in four straight games, raising her team-leading total to 15 goals. Freshman Lily Hall accounted for the fourth goal, marking her first since the team's home win against McClatchy back on December 5.

 

Meanwhile, St. Francis JV Red enjoyed a rare opportunity to headline on the program's home venue of Cristo Rey's Adamson Family Sports Center, allowing no shots in a 6-0 shutout against Will C. Wood. Eliza Hurley scored her second brace of the season, matching the performance from her team's 7-0 win over the Wildcats to start the season.  

Mallory Lincoln, Gianna Barnes and Ava Winberry each added a goal and assist for three total points, while Ava Larkin had the assist on Abi Robbins' first goal of the season in the final minute before halftime. The victory snaps a five-game losing skid for JV Red, which improves to 5-9 for the year.

All three SF programs return to action on Friday in a home tripleheader against rival Davis at CRHSS. Varsity opens the evening at 4 p.m., JV Gold follows at 6 p.m., with JV Red playing the nightcap at 7:30.