SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Audrey Ellis and junior Maya Wenceslao netted two goals each while sophomore goalkeeper Sasha Michon halted two five-meter penalty shots, as St. Francis bested Rocklin, 7-3, to kick off its Sierra Foothill League girls' water polo season at Jesuit High Wednesday.

The Troubadours, playing their first action since August 30, improve to 2-3 for the season and 1-0 in SFL play.

Wenceslao scored her first goal on a five-meter penalty shot after Kendal Douglas drew the foul at set with 3:42 left in the first quarter. She scored her second after Frannie Wells drew an exclusion on a counterattack, then assisted Wenceslao with 37 ticks remaining in the half. That score, boosted by Wells' own 6-on-5 conversion at the 4:49 mark, gave SF a 3-0 lead at the break.

Rocklin came back with two goals in the opening minutes of the third quarter, but Savannah Hamilton's long walk-up goal and Wells' weakside assist to Ellis restored the Troubie lead to 5-2 by the midpoint of the third. Emma Dietrich delivered on a short lob into an open net on the first possession of the fourth quarter, then Wells assisted Wells on another power play with 1:50 left, bringing the score to 7-3.

Meanwhile, Michon saved six total shots, including the penalty shots in the first and fourth quarters. She also blocked a Thunder 6-on-5 attempt at the end of the game. St. Francis also dodged a Thunder 6-on-4 opportunity with two minutes remaining, with the shot sailing high. The Wells-Ellis 6-on-5 score took place on the ensuing possession.

The Troubie varsity's win followed an 8-2 junior varsity setback against the Thunder. Isabella Leyva put SF on the board in the first, then Georgianna Williams hit a goal in the fourth for their team's lone scoring. Freshman goalkeeper Audrey Solander highlighted the defense to the tune of eight saves, while Gabriella Philip picked Rocklin for a team-leading four steals.

The SF jayvees return to action in tournament play at Granite Bay this Friday and Saturday, then both teams return to the GBHS pool for a league matchup on September 17.