Troubies Score Three Times in Non-League Win

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis soccer team posted a 3-0 win over Rocklin on Thursday, posting a positive result after going winless over the last two contests to improve to 3-2-1 on the season.

“The process was better,” said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinson. “It took us longer to get played in. This was the first game against a good opponent where we took care of the details and then the goals came. And it was nice goals.”

Junior Lindsey Porter put the Troubadours up 1-0 in the 27th minute off an assist by Anna Huber.

“I felt we connected leading up to it really well,” said Porter, who connected on her third goal of the season. “We really played for each other and I just had the finishing touch and got lucky to be there.”

The game remained 1-0 until the half before senior Allie Cloninger scored three minutes into the second half off a combination from Alexis Soloaga and Porter. It was a career single-season high third goal for Cloninger.

“We worked more on patterning and we knew where everyone was,” said Robinson. “We created more positive habits and some infrastructure so that everyone had a sense of what their role was and how we fit it together. Now we got it and good picture of the feeling of St. Francis soccer. We found St. Francis soccer today.”

Junior Janae DeFazio added the third goal in the 78th minute with the assists by Emily Billena and Taylor Givens. It was her first of the season.

“It was a good feeling,” said DeFazio. “I think the way we played is something to be excited about especially after the last couple of games. They were a wakeup call and we all put in that little more effort and intensity.”

The Troubies were coming off a tie with Christian Brothers last week and 3-1 loss to Bella Vista on Tuesday.

“Janae was great but our midfield and back line were great,” said Robinson. “Each layer did very well. They did the hard work to make it their teammate better and make it easier for their teammate.”

Overall, the team left the pitch with a positive feeling heading into the holidays.

“We played a lot better especially on the wings,” said Cloninger. “They were able to find people more and we made really good runs thru and got behind a lot. It really helped us get the win.”

St. Francis will take finals this next week before playing in the Tri-Valley Tournament Dec. 22-23.

St. Francis 3, Rocklin 0

SF – Porter, Cloninger, DeFazio.