Franciscan 2, Grove City 4

Starting XI 
Elise Winogradoff, Judah Thomason, Teaghan Elmore, Gabriella De La Torre, Maria De La Torre, Tania Davidson, Angela Postage, Kierra Wilson Lillian Torbeck, Juliana Rubino, & Goalkeeper - Rebekka Dill 

How It Happened 
    For the second year in a row, the Franciscan Women's Soccer team made it to the PAC Championship. The women came up short this year falling 2-4 to the Grove City Wolverines. 
    For the last couple of years, the Barons have been a difficult matchup for the Wolverines. So, even though the Barons appeared to be an underdog and #5 and the Wolverines sat on the #1 seed, the Franciscan community had some energy and anticipation of a potential trophy coming their way this afternoon. 
    That anticipation turned to electricity when Gabriella De La Torre picked off a Wolverine pass, split two more defenders, and beat the goalkeeper to put the Barons on the board first. That goal was exactly what the Barons needed to gain confidence and calm their nerves. 
    Unfortunately, Grove City found a way to answer and tie it. Then, were awarded a penalty kick to go up 2-1 with three minutes remaining in the first half. 
    Only one minute after taking the lead, the Wolverines fouled the Barons in the box and Juliana Rubino was awarded a PK. She froze the goalkeeper and then sent the ball to the bottom right corner. Her shot was just inches too wide and struck the crossbar.
    Both teams spent the entire 15-minute halftime in the huddle talking strategy. They came out of the half flat for only a second, but that's all that was needed to give up a quick goal seconds after the second half started. Now down 1-3 and needing something to pick them up, De La Torre charged the net on a close free kick, scooped up the second attempt, and scored her second goal of the game. Two goals in two minutes and now only down one the Barons found their fight and kept pressing. Being down on this field was familiar territory. In the regular season, the Barons were down 0-3 at the half and charged back to tie 3-3 just before the end of regulation. The Wolverines didn't make any mistakes for the Barons to capitalize on this time. As time drew on and Franciscan needed to push forward to get more and more aggressive, the home team found a hole and converted a quick counterattack into a 2-4 lead. There were still 24 minutes left on the clock, but now the Barons had to fight through a prevent defense. Time expired and the Barons became the 2023 PAC Runner-up. 
    Despite how disappointing falling short twice can feel, this is a young team that the conference should be scared of next year. 

Inside the Numbers  
-Dill recorded 6 saves
-Tania had a game-high 6 shots
-Gabriella De La Torre had a game-high 2 goals

Women's Soccer ID Camp
Franciscan Women's Soccer is excited to offer an ID Camp for aspiring college athletes on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Participants will have the opportunity to receive training from the women's soccer coaching staff, as well as interact with current players. Players will participate in a typical Franciscan training session and gain an understanding of the competitive and challenging environment of collegiate athletics. For more information click here

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