Soccer Shuts Out Monterey Trail in Senior Game
Seniors Sbisa and Gregg Score Two Goals Each
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a game to celebrate the seniors, the St. Francis seniors shined Monday in posting a 6-0 victory over Monterey Trail. The Troubadours closed the regular season with a 6-0-1 record at home with the possibility of a home playoff game next week on the horizon.
“The atmosphere was fantastic,” said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson. “We had a great senior environment. I have been exceedingly impressed with people’s willingness to share the glory. Anna is our goal scorer and she scored early and then rested. But the standard stays high.”
Standout Anna Gregg showcased her goal-scoring abilities early, totaling two quick scores over the first 12 minutes before exiting the game with 28 goals on the season to let her classmates get some time. Senior Savannah Watson added a first-half goal to put the Troubadours up 3-0 at the break.
Senior Pilar Sbisa came in to score two second half goals (’45 and ’57) and junior Bridget Foy added the sixth goal in the 63rd minute.
“On the first one, Hailey shot it and the goalie did not keep it in her hands,” said Sbisa. “I followed it up and kicked it on the goal with a little toe poke. On the second one, Addie did a really good thru ball from behind the half line. It went right over the defenders, took a couple touches and hit it.”
Senior Addie Wallace contributed three assists and classmate Kirsten Kjome and Izzy Chelini added assists in the contest in addition to junior Hailey Barrett.
“It was really cool because it was my last year of soccer,” said Sbisa. “I don’t normally score and the whole team was rooting for me. It was cool and I almost got a hat trick with a header. But it did not go through the goalies hands.”
Overall, St. Francis celebrated 16 graduating seniors on Monday, who will be attending colleges across the country next fall including Gonzaga, Cal Poly, Villanova, Oregon, Boise State, Sacramento State, UC Davis, Colorado College, Cal Lutheran, American River College, Chico State, Southern Methodist and Sacramento State. They all walked out for pre-game introductions and were escorted by one of the Troubie ball girls to receive their rose and pose for a picture with the coaches.
“I had a lot of fun,” said Sbisa. “It is our last home game. It was nice when I got my chance to play I made the most of it in our last game.”
St. Francis (15-2-2, 9-2-2) will close the regular season on Wednesday at Grant with a 7 p.m. start.
“I thought the juniors did a great job of creating some environment to help the seniors understand how impactful they have been,” said Robinson. “It is a really a great team atmosphere to move us forward.”
In the junior varsity game, Allison Cloninger scored a pair of goals and SF added scores by Ariana Avila, Jillian Elenberger, Taylor Simpkins and Savannah Tijerino-Santos to post a 6-0 win over Monterey Trail.
The freshmen posted an 8-0 win over Franklin. Marlee Nicolos recorded a hat trick and Amanda Sieverts added two goals in the victory.
St. Francis 6, Monterey Trail 0
SF – Gregg 2, Sbisa, 2, Foy, Watson.