Sara Trexler's goal in the third minute proved to be the only one Cardinal Gibbons (23-0-2) needed in a 1-0 victory against St. Thomas Aquinas in a physical, nondistrict matchup Wednesday.

The goal gave Trexler a boost of confidence as Cardinal Gibbons heads into the playoffs.

Trexler, a sophomore, sat out the past two games because of a sprained ankle.

''To know I can come back and be ready -- that's always a plus,'' Trexler said.

Gibbons had more shots on goal throughout the game, and its defense stifled a team that was averaging 5.26 goals a game.

''Our defense has been the backbone to our team all year,'' Gibbons coach Margo Flack said. ``We rely on them in time of need.''

Gibbons needed that defense, especially late in the game when the play started to get out of control. Referees issued four yellow cards to Gibbons' players in a five-minute span, but key defensive plays by goalkeeper Haylee Shoaff and defender Merridith Delinois did the trick against the Raiders (16-3).

''That was a little crazy -- we've never had something like that,'' Flack said. ``I think the girls wanted it so bad that they got a little bit aggressive, but we played through that and that was the most important thing.''

The goal was a bigger boost, though.

''I got open on the left and Ally Buerosse played me a great ball,'' Trexler said. ``I dribbled a bit and shot and that was it.''

St. Thomas had opportunities to score, but couldn't produce.

''We're just not finishing our shots,'' St. Thomas coach Carlos Giron said. ``We created the opportunities, we had the advantage in possession time but all of that doesn't matter when you can't score.''

BOYS' BASKETBALL

• American Heritage 102, North Broward 66 - NB (9-5) : Keith 1, Freelove 37, Durvin 6, Long 11, Baites 5, Harrison 2, Henry 2, Chynow 2. AH (12-4): Chin 13, Boynton 48, Wheeler 14, Ferrales 5, Barry 13, Blake 9. Halftime: AH 46-31. Three-pointers: Boynton 5, Freelove 5, Lon g 1. Rebounds: Barry 9. Assists: Boynton 6.

• Archbishop McCarthy 67, Parkway 51: - Park: Frere 15, Moore 5, Quire 3, Jenkins 4, Bush 2, Burton 14, Ceafer 8. AM (7-7): Perkins 25, Perez 10, Schoedinger 9, Lagos 1, Brant 3, Frye 13, Duque 2, Southern 2, Francois 2. Halftime: AM 31-24. Three-pointers: Frere 3, Jenkins 1, Frye 1. Rebounds: Perkins 10. Assists: Perez 5. Steals: Perez 3.

• Gulliver 62, Florida Christian 36 - GUL (15-2): Kezuka 2, Cruz 11, MaCarthy 4, Estrada 18, Caio 1, Blank 5, Bigleman 2, Lundeen 6, Pierre 9, Fine 4. FC: Estrella 4, Prinz 13, Galan 4, Fernandez 11, Sosa 1, Hale 3. Halftime: GUP 24-17. Three-pointers: Estrada 2, Blank 1, Fernandez 1. Rebounds: Pierre 10. Assists: Cruz 8. Steals: Fine 3.

• Ransom 57, Archbishop Carroll 18: - AC: Sosa 3, Mercado 4, Lima 1, Gasparro 8, Naldjio 2. RE (12-4): Molinet 12, Stanton 11, Gregenstein 2, Feldman 7, Neuman 9, Oquendo 3, Henriquez 2, Gilbert 3, Hawlik 2, Singer 3, Rappaport 3. Halftime: RE 35-10. Three-pointers: Stanton 1, Neuman 3, Oquendo 1, Sosa 1. Rebounds: Molinet 6. Assists: Mollinet 5. Steals: Gregenstein 5.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

• Gulliver 41, Chaminade 15: - Gul (17-1): Baron 13, Mejia 10, Amaya 8, Palmer 9, Everon 3. Cham: Muller 4, Teague 6, St. Juste 1, Warner 3. Halftime: Gul 18-9. Three-pointers: Mejia 1, Evron 1. Rebounds: Palmer 12. Assists: Baron 5. Steals: Baron 3.

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