SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Senior midfielder Mika Shinoda netted goals in the eighth and 17th minutes, but St. Francis surrendered two well-placed Blue Devil free kicks to suffer a 3-2 loss to Davis in Delta League varsity girls' soccer action at Cristo Rey High Monday afternoon.
The Troubadours snap a three-game winning streak, moving to 11-4-2 overall and 6-2-1 in Delta League play. St. Francis entered the contest as the leader in the standings with 19 points, with Elk Grove (15) and Pleasant Grove (14) in second and third place, respectively.
Shinoda scored in the eighth and 17th minutes to erase an early Blue Devil lead. She collected the rebound off Laila Hadid's first attempt and promptly sent the ball back into the net for the equalizer. Shinoda and Audrey Shackelford each had attempts while senior goalkeeper Rory Peters posted her most spectacular of six saves before the go-ahead in the 17th. Once again, Hadid stormed down the left sideline. Davis goalkeeper Harper Burnham stopped Hadid's initial attempt but Shinoda stole the ball inside the goal box for an easy tap-in.
However, Davis tied up the contest at 2-2 when Mia Simmons long serve sailed over Peters' head but nosed its way under the crossbar in the 32nd minute. The score remained at halftime.
Eight minutes into the second frame, Davis junior Una Keller played a low tracer from the left side across the cage and into the cage for the go-ahead. The Troubies had several attempts to tie the game for a third time. Burnham came cup with a save against Troubie junior Ella Crisologo in the 64th. Senior Caroline Murdoch had looks in the 73rd and 76th but missed both to the right. Shackelford drew a foul just outside the DHS penalty area, but Micaela Romo's blast veered to the right of the Blue Devil wall and the cage.
In all, St. Francis managed 13 shots, including six in the final eight minutes, while Peters and Isabella De La Cruz combined for 11 saves on the defensive end.
Monday marked the first of three straight home games for the week. The Troubies host Elk Grove for continue Delta League play on Thursday, then Christian Brothers for the annual Holy Cup/Senior Day contest on Friday.
NOTE: Friday's rivalry game with CB will have limited spectators… Each player on each team will be granted two tickets except for the SFHS seniors, who will be allowed up to four family members on a gate list… More details are available at GoTroubies.com.
