St. Francis Dominates St. Ignatius 2-0, Nears WCAL Title

UPDATE: St. Francis made a commanding statement in their West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) matchup against St. Ignatius, winning 2-0 on Wednesday night in Mountain View. This crucial victory not only avenges a previous tie but also positions St. Francis to secure their fifth consecutive WCAL title.

The Lancers’ strategy was clear: maintain a strong defense while capitalizing on scoring opportunities. They executed flawlessly, limiting St. Ignatius to just one shot on goal throughout the match. Coach Carlos Barboza noted the team’s intense focus, spurred by their earlier 0-0 tie against the Wildcats on January 17.

“The girls were super focused… I could tell they were focused since Monday,” Barboza stated. “They executed and put the game away fairly early.”

St. Francis started strong, taking the lead in the ninth minute with a perfect cross from Kendall Koury that found Maya Meltz, who volleyed it home. Just two minutes later, a corner kick chaos led to Mireille Del Santo scoring, giving the Lancers a comfortable cushion.

With this victory, St. Francis improved to 15-0-1 overall and 9-0-1 in the league. They are now almost guaranteed to be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Central Coast Section playoffs. Meanwhile, St. Ignatius, with a record of 14-2-1, is also preparing for the playoffs but faces a tough road ahead.

“They got the two goals in the first half… They’re a really quality side all around,” said St. Ignatius Coach Daire O’Connor, acknowledging the Lancers’ performance.

Looking ahead, both teams are gearing up for the playoffs. St. Francis aims to finish the regular season without losses, while also focusing on player health, having battled injuries throughout the season. Their ultimate goal remains clear: to reach the state finals.

As the playoffs approach, all eyes will be on St. Francis as they seek to maintain their dominance and secure another championship title. This match serves as a powerful reminder of their capabilities and resilience on the field.

Stay tuned for more updates as the playoffs unfold and both teams strive for success!