Soccer Rolls Past Woodcreek in Section Opener

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Anna Gregg recorded a hat trick in the first half as defending section champions St. Francis posted a 6-0 win over No. 12 Woodcreek in the Sac-Joaquin Section opener Tuesday. The Troubadours play the winner of No. 4 Armijo and No. 13 Franklin (Stockton) on Thursday.

“It is a good feeling going into playoffs like this,” said junior Bridget Foy of the opening win. “When you start out with a good win, it gives you so much confidence. We can go into the next game and keep playing as a team and doing what we do.”

Gregg, who now has 32 goals on the season, scored three times in the first half to give the Troubadours a lead at the break. Woodcreek (11-2-5) played a high defensive line that St. Francis was able to exploit behind the play of Gregg.

“With a high line it is good for off-side chops but if you play over it and spray it and pass the back it is really easy to get slip in behind there and that is what we did,” said Gregg. “We got a couple off-sides call but if you stay even with them it is super easy to get behind and score those goals. We took advantage of it and did what we needed to do.”

Gregg, who was signed to play at Colorado College, recorded three or more goals for the fourth time this season and 12th multi-goal game of the season.

Izzy Chelini assisted on the first two goals. On the first goal, Gregg played the ball into the left corner of the goal and it slid in despite an effort by two Timberwolves defenders to take it off the back line nine minutes into the game. Chelini found Gregg again from the left side of the field and she broke past and dribbled in front for the breakaway. She added a third goal before leaving the game off an assist by Foy.

In the second half, senior Raegan Jobe scored to extend the advantage to 4-0, scoring off a pass from Rachel Schaefer.

“It felt really great,” said Jobe. “Rachel played a perfect ball over to me. We had been trying to not be off sides and I had to make a run and one-time it. I was really happy about it. I could not stop smiling.”

St. Francis continued to press its offense forward to seal the game in the second half as Foy found the net twice for the final 6-0 margin.

“The team never gave up and kept pressing,” said Foy. “They were aggressive and physical also so it was important that we kept giving it our all and keep pressing the score. It really frustrated them. It was good to keep dominating and pressing.”

Foy scored the first on a corner kick by Ashley Newland and Emma hit for the second and final goal.

Senior Catie Brown and Allie Carmickle combined for the shutout in goal.

“It was great,” said Jobe. “They were a really good team but I was expecting us to have a little more of a fight. I think we played really well against them.”

St. Francis will play at Armijo if they win and host Franklin if they win.

“We need to stay focused and motivated,” said Jobe.

ST. FRANCIS 6, WOODCREEK 0

SF – Gregg 3, Foy 2, Jobe.