RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – Freshman Karly Okamoto, senior Zahra Smith and sophomore Brynley Hodge each scored goals while senior goalkeeper Bella McCullough posted three saves in each half but a run of four unanswered Eagle goals sank St. Francis in a 6-3 loss to Vista Del Lago in non-league prep girls' lacrosse action at Mather Sports Complex Tuesday night.
The Troubadours even their season record to 1-1.
The varsity contest followed St. Francis' 13-5 junior varsity loss to the Eagles. Olivia Alvernaz netted two goals while Zia Smith notched a goal and an assist in the setback.
Zahra Smith had four caused turnovers in the nightcap, the first of which led to Okamoto's opening goal in the seventh minute. Smith later stole a clear attempt inside the 12-meter fan then drove one-on-nobody to give the Troubies their second goal with three minutes left in the first half. However, the Eagles answered each SF score, and the teams headed to the halftime break locked in a 1-1 tie.
Hodge netted a go-ahead goal at the 19:38 mark in the second half, lifting the Troubies to a 3-2 edge. However, Shaye Aland responded with the second of her game-high three goals less than two minutes later. This equalizer ignited a string of four straight Eagle goals in the second half, while Vista goalkeeper Abbey Fink collected a whopping 10 saves in the second half. Fink had 13 stops for the contest.
Okamoto also recorded team highs of four ground balls and three draw controls to go with her goal.
Vista won the JV game more decisively, crafting an 8-1 halftime lead. The lone St. Francis goal in the first half came in the seventh minute, when Zia Smith won the draw, advanced into the attacking third, then set up her twin sister Zoe Smith for the score.
Zia Smith scored the second SF goal on a crease roll at 21:42 in the second half, then her success on the draw led to back-to-back Alvernaz tallies. After Keira Larkin's goal put Vista up by a 10-2 edge with 16:14 to go, Zia won the ensuing draw, bolted for the Eagle cage, and assisted Alvernaz just 14 seconds later. Zia Smith won the next draw, and advanced toward the eight-meter arc. The Eagles checked the ball loose but Alvernaz picked up the loose ball and promptly deposited it into the net at the 15:43 mark, trimming the deficit to 10-4.
However, Vista hit consecutive goals in the 37th minute to stretch its lead to 12-4. Zoe Smith eventually tallied the last Trouble goal with seven minutes left.
Freshman Sofia Rainbolt totaled six saves in the SF crease.
St. Francis returns to action on Friday in a rare contest outside the Sacramento area, traveling to Monte Vista High in Danville.
