ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Junior Sally Ferguson scored two times in the fourth period to help St. Francis to a 6-5 victory over Davis to the win the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Championship.

“I am actually numb,” said Head Coach Heather Moody. “There is a group of girls that I have been working with for the last three years, 10 amazing seniors, that really set the tone for this year and took ownership of the whole group, leading and truly believing.”

It was the fourth section title in water polo for St. Francis in school history and first since 2008.

“It is surreal to me right now,” said Ferguson. “It meant so much to me to have that opportunity. To play with that team and have the opportunity to call ourselves section champs means a lot. On the game winner, I just went in and did my part and everyone else did theirs. It was amazing.”

St. Francis trailed 5-4 before Ferguson tied the game with 2:19 left. Both teams had chances to take the lead before Ferguson scored with less than 30 seconds left. Senior goalie Elle Minor made a save in the final seconds to secure the win.

“It was awesome,” said Minor. “Everyone was pumped. We were so into it and playing as a team. There were so many steals and when that happens it helps everyone on the team for the next possession or defensive stand. It was great.”

The Blue Devils, winners of the last six section titles, scored first with and led 2-0 in the second after a scoreless opening period. Senior Kira Chavez scored first to cut the deficit to 2-1 and Maggie Oys tied the game at 2 with a long shot off the assist by Chavez. Davis responded with a goal by Scout Brown to lead 3-2 at the break.

Senior Ally Tambornini, who recorded numerous steals in the game, scored twice in the third period to give SF their first lead at 4-3.

“I have been at sections every year and it always has been so close,” said Tambornini. “It feels so good. I knew what needed to get done and I was so determined.  This was my last high school game and I was going to get it done.”

Davis responded with two goals by Brooke Doten to take a 5-4 advantage, setting up Ferguson’s heroics in the final period.

“This has been four years trying to get this,” said Oys, who lives in Davis. “I am so proud of Sally. I know she has always had that in her so it was not a surprise for me.”

St. Francis has lost six consecutive title games to Davis.

“It is a culmination of four years,” said Oys. “For the seniors, we went out with the banner. It is also for all the seniors that never got to win but played just as hard. It feels like we not only did for this team but all the girls in the past who have played St. Francis polo.”

St. Francis has now won 91 Sac-Joaquin Section title in school history, the most of any girls program in the section and third-most of any school overall.

Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Water Polo

St. Francis 6, Davis 5

SF – Ferguson 2, Tambornini 2, Oys, Chavez. D – K. Doten 3, B. Doten, Scout.