Dynasty forming as St Francis Pull off Historic Treble

The St. Francis Lancers have won their second Treble in three years. For those who don't know, a treble is winning your league title, section playoff, and Norcal playoff all at the Division 1 level. If only they could go for one more, in a true California State Championship game against the Division 1 Socal region winners Santiago High School Sharks of Corona, CA. I guess we will never know.   I was fortunate enough to interview Head Coach Carlos Barboza. Who in his fourth year in charge of the Lancers, has formed a dynasty. Two out of his four years in charge this team have won the Treble. Barboza has a young, talented, and hungry team. They have a chance to do it all over again next year. Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='111087' first='Anneliese' last='Braun'], [player_tooltip player_id='187366' first='Kiyomi' last='Yoshimura'], [player_tooltip player_id='111094' first='Sophia' last='Malloy'], [player_tooltip player_id='199889' first='Tori' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='206664' first='Lynn' last='Byun'] were all major contributors to the lineup this year. "You never know how young players who are stars at the club level perform against 17 year olds. All of them did an outstanding job stepping up to the task this season."   He described to me that he didn't play any particular formation this season. He rotated his starting lineup depending on the opposition he was playing against and saving bodies for crunch time. In my eyes the mark of a great coach. "We know that the entire season comes down to two weeks where you have to play 6 games with minimal rest. I was fortunate enough to have an extremely deep team where rotating and keeping players as fresh as possible was very doable." On his philosophy this season.   It will not be easy for the Lancers next season as they are losing 3 vital seniors. Kameron Rosa who is headed to Youngstown State next season is described by Barboza as "the most complete striker in Northern California." St Francis keep the ball on the ground at some of the highest rates I've seen at the high school level. They rarely bypass their midfield. Rosa plays a false 9 position where she is excellent at overloading midfields in the Lancers favor to higher the probability of maintaining possession. She lead the team in Goal Contributions this season.   Senior Gianna Nurriso will be sorely missed next season at center back as she ends her soccer career on the highest of highs. She had a fantastic season in what Barboza claimed to be her last one. She played outstanding in the Championship game to help earn her team a shutout. An absolute dream way to go out. Congratulations to her.   Winger and Senior winger Brooklyn O'Brien who is headed to Xavier this fall, and will also be a big loss for the Lancers next season as coach Barboza not only singled out her for her on field talent but her ability to understand everyone she plays with. "She was the glue that held all of us together. Her character was a huge reason for our success." Barboza said about O'Brien's impact.   The Lancers had two losses all season. One of the teams who beat them, their nemesis; the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs found themselves across the line from each other for an amazing 4th and final time this season. The two CCS and WCAL foes have been dominant all season. The Lancers overall record ended at 20-2-1, they won the WCAL league, CCS and now Norcal. While the Monarchs ended things at 19-3-3 coming 2nd in league, 2nd in CCS, and 2nd in Norcal. All three of Mitty's losses this season came at the hands of, you guessed it..... St. Francis.   A 15 minute drive is all the separates these two schools. A true testament to not only the talent in the area but the clubs/coaches who develop them. "All of them play with each other, against each other and all know of each other. The fact that they are so close to home enhances our rivalry. They bring the best out of us. We bring the best out of them. The Championship Game was no different." Barboza describing the rivalry that exists between the Lancers and the Monarchs.   Being the higher seed St. Francis got to host this contest. Both teams had chances to win. But only one ended up being the difference. Sophomore Miliana Makasini scored a goal that she will never forget in the second half to put her team up 1-0. And it was that was needed. What a moment for Makasini to score a game winning goal to win Norcal and ultimately the treble for her side.   The usual suspects performed well for Mitty. [player_tooltip player_id='111097' first='Chloe' last='Miller'] superbly headed a ball off the line for the Monarchs in the 13th minute to keep it 0-0 on a shot that looked destined for the top corner. Maya Yamagishi again did everything she possibly could in a crowded midfield where she had to cover a ton of ground. CCS Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='19981' first='Murphy' last='Walsh'] who was playing further forward in this one looked dangerous anytime she had the ball. The problem was she was starved of the ball by the Lancers attack who maintain possession extremely well.   Lancers midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='63471' first='Mimi' last='Yamamoto'] was excellent in midfield dictating tempo and keeping the ball flowing. She was excellent on the half turn and had a ton of ball recoveries throughout the game. The Utah Utes have to be excited about having this young player coming into their program soon. Her midfield partner [player_tooltip player_id='20049' first='Penelope' last='Correa'] who is a Chilean National team star is an outstanding person to advance the ball to. The MVLA playmaker is an exciting watch, who has a deep understanding of her teammate Yamamoto. They are a fantastic midfield duo.   Congratulations to the St. Francis Lancers on their triumphs this season. A monumental achievement that these players and coaching staff will never forget. Returning so many difference makers next season they are poised to make another run at this next season. I also plead with CIF to make a State Championship game between the winners of D1-D5 Norcal and Socal winners. They have state championships in other sports why not soccer?

The St. Francis Lancers have won their second Treble in three years. For those who don't know, a treble is winning your league title, section playoff, and Norcal playoff all at the Division 1 level. If only they could go for one more, in a true California State Championship game against the Division 1 Socal region winners Santiago High School Sharks of Corona, CA. I guess we will never know.