Water Polo Closes Home Schedule with Senior Night Win

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As the final seconds ticked off the game clock, it was fitting that all four seniors were in the water as St. Francis closed its home campaign with a 14-9 win over Granite Bay Monday night.

“It was kinda surreal,” said senior Lauren Charter, who had four goals in the win. “The four years I have here have gone so fast. This was a nice way to end a big part of my experience at St. Francis. It felt good to be with a team that I love and have a good game.”

Seniors Hannah Milanowski, Bella Smith, Annie Rafeld and Charter were honored in pre-game ceremonies.

“We did really good,” said Milanowski. “We scored a lot and did what (Head Coach) Heather (Moody) told us to do from the side. It was positive and lots of energy flowing.”

St. Francis jumped out to a 6-3 after the first quarter and added five more goals in the second to lead 11-6 at the break.

“We started off really strong,” said Smith. “We kept the momentum throughout the whole game and did not let up. It was a good result.”

Every available player saw action in the contest and the game ended with all four seniors in the pool.

“It felt amazing,” said Rafeld. “I liked playing because I don’t get to play too much. It felt good because we won. It is our last game and it was sad because I am going to miss everybody. It was a good end to a good four years.”

“It was cool to have us all in there together as a last time,” added Milanowski.

Starting with the pre-game ceremony to the final buzzer, it was an emotional night.

“It was bittersweet,” said Smith. “I didn’t think I was going to be a sad as I was. I am really glad it ended the way it did with a win.”

The Troubadours will prepare for the next week for the annual matchup with Davis on Oct 28 to decide the Delta League title.

Julie Zanobini added three goals in the win, while Maggie Oys tallied two scores. Ali Tambornini added a solo goal in the winning effort.

“Leading up from this week we have to show up hard at practice and on game day we have to play together as a team because that is what has been working best,” said Charter.

St. Francis will then play in the Nor Cal Championships the last weekend of the month before the start of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

St. Francis 14, Granite Bay 9 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Granite Bay 3 3 1 2 9
St. Francis 6 5 2 1 14

SF – Barthels 4, Charter 4, Zanonini 3, Oys 2, Tambornini. Coren 4, Johnson 4, Pierre.