St. Francis sheds the sorrow to become NorCal champion
St. Francis' storybook 2022-23 season, which ended Saturday with the program's first NorCal Division I championship, was a testament to its versatility.
It could win any kind of game.
“They were able to grind out games and pull off 1-0 wins through having a tough mentality and spirit,” said coach Carlos Barboza, whose team also captured its first Central Coast Section Open Division title in a 25-1 season.
The Lancers shut out their last five playoff opponents and allowed eight goals in 26 games.
The NorCal final against East Bay powerhouse Carondelet, a 1-0 victory in which Kaya Rosa scored the only goal late in the game, was closer than most.
St. Francis won 15 matches by two or more goals.
Barboza said his players' commitment to competing at a high level at all times came from senior leadership.
“Sophie Murdock and Kaya were our hardestworking players in practice,” Barboza said, “and when your captains do that every day, it's hard for anyone else on the team to do anything different.”
Those leaders and others such as West Catholic Athletic League midfielder of the year Charlotte Kohler were also motivated by how last season ended — losses in the CCS Open Division final to Mountain View as well as falling in the regionals.
Barboza said the Mountain View loss was particularly difficult.
“That was a tough one to take,” he added. “The girls came back motivated and had their eyes on the Open Division CCS title and state. Last year drove this team to new heights.”
In most games, a backline led by Gianna Nurisso and Mimi Yamamoto stifled attacks while freshman phenom Penelope Correa and sophomore Natalie Chan helped create goals.
But Barboza said the team's single loss, 1-0 to St. Ignatius in December, gave the Lancers the final nudge toward what became a historic season.
“We came out looking like the game was gonna be won before it started,” Barboza said. “We were worked off the field.”
Given that St. Francis will return a wealth of talent, Barboza believes his team could have what it takes to repeat next season.
“I think them playing in massive games will only help,” Barboza said. “Definitely an exciting next few years to come for our program.”