MODESTO, Calif. – Junior Abigail Benavidez scored a total of six goals while junior Sophia Santsche-Chavez amassed 25 saves in two games as St. Francis defeated Turlock and Ponderosa to win the Gold bracket team title at the 45th Western States girls' water polo tournament at Downey High School.

The Troubadours beat Turlock, 11-4, in the first game of the day; then added a 5-1 victory against Pondo in the finale. They improve to 13-7 for the season.

Benavidez netted five goals with three assists and four steals in the opener against the Bulldogs. Santsche-Chavez had nine of her 14 saves in the first half to help boost SF to a 7-1 lead at the break. She then came up with five more stops plus three steals in the second half to help close out the win.

Miranda Ferguson chipped in a hat trick and Ashlyn Brock posted two goals and two steals against Turlock. Reese Hughes accounted for the 11th Troubie goal, adding it to her contribution of three thefts.

Then in the nightcap with the Bruins, Santsche-Chavez posted another 11 blocks with three assists while allowing just the one goal. Brock and senior Lydia Vlahos each scored twice, with Benavidez shooting 1-for-2. St. Francis shot just 5-for-24 against Pondo, compared to the 11-for-22 against Turlock, but with Santsche-Chavez sealing the cage, the five scores were sufficient for the victory.

Marin Academy won the overall Platinum Bracket trophy with tight wins over Del Oro and El Capitan.

The Western States tourney mostly featured teams from the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, but also had teams from as far south as Morro Bay and Strathmore, as well as the North Bay Area peninsula. The Platinum half of Saturday's action took place at host Johansen, with the Gold side at Thomas Downey.

Meanwhile, St. Francis junior varsity was in action at McClatchy's CKM JV Scramble on Saturday. Results from that tourney are available separately at GoTroubies.com. Varsity returns to action at River City on Monday (5:30 p.m.) then the two eams reunite at Rio Americano on Tuesday.