RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – The St. Francis lacrosse team held on for a 8-7 victory over Gunn of Palo Alto Saturday night to improve to 4-2 on the season.

“Today was hard as a team because we were not able to finish our shots,” said sophomore Grace Barger. “A win is a win and we were able to pull through for the victory. Looking forward we need to start connecting our passes in the middle, not forcing it and making our shots.”

Sophomore Grace Barger scored a team-best four goals, while freshman Sophia Gorona added three and secured 11-of-17 draws to help the Troubadours to the win.

The Troubies, who had 25 shots on goal in the contest, led 6-3 at the half as Barger scored three times and Gorona added two goals.

“We were not forcing the ball as much (in the first half),” said Barger. “In the second half we were just throwing it in there. First half we were connecting passes and our goals were dropping better. In the second half we lost the momentum a little bit.”

Gunn rallied to pull within 7-6 but the Troubies were able to hold on. With a chance to tie the game, goalie Maggie Pinkston and the defense made a key stop in the final seconds.

“It felt pretty cool at that moment,” said Pinkston. “Defensively we were really able to watch the middle, crash the middle when we needed to and we were all there for each other. There was a good communication and feeling.”

Pinkston made the stop and then ran out of the defensive end before making the pass down field.

“My first reaction was to the get the ball and book it,” said Pinkston. “It was matter of getting it out, pull it back and then see what was the best move. I saw the clock and we just needed to draw it out.”

The Troubadours play at Justin Siena on Monday and host league rival Oak Ridge on Friday.

“It was a tough second half, but today we kept lead,” said Barger. “In some big games coming up hopefully we can push our way to the top.”

St. Francis 8, Gunn 7

SF – Barger 4, Gorona 3, Vielhauer. G – Chen 3, Chapman 3, Williams 1.