Multi-sport standout’s key saves help Palmetto repeat as GMAC girls’ soccer champion
While most keepers might walk up immediately and position themselves in front of the goal before a penalty kick, Miami Palmetto senior Stevie Ricklick waits for her opponent to place the ball and get ready for their kick while she stares them down.
She then slowly walks into their path never taking her eyes off them.
“There’s no pressure on me, only on them,” Ricklick said. “They have to get it past me so all the pressure is on them. They’re supposed to make it. Everything about it is a mental game especially for the goalie.”
Ricklick did this repeatedly on Friday evening at Traz Powell Stadium after the Panthers and district rival South Dade went to a shootout following a 0-0 tie through 80 minutes of regulation play.
Twice, she blocked her opponents’ shots. And two more times, they misfired.
The result was Palmetto edging South Dade 3-2 in the penalty kick round to secure its second consecutive GMAC girls’ soccer championship. The Panthers (12-3-1) beat the Bucs (10-4-1) for the third time this season and have yet to give up a goal to them this season. The teams could meet again in the district playoffs and regionals.
“It’s exciting because I transferred in from another school and I had yet to experience a championship in soccer,” Ricklick said.
Ricklick recorded her sixth shutout, which is not bad for someone who is in her first season playing soccer and goalkeeping.
Ricklick, who will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point next fall, spent the past three seasons playing basketball as a point guard for Miami TERRA Environmental Academy.
Picking up a second sport and excelling at soccer didn’t mean giving up hoops though.
Ricklick is still playing basketball at Palmetto and dividing her time between the court and the pitch. She has even played for both squads in games on the same day.
“It’s a juggling act but that’s just me, I’m go, go, go,” Ricklick said. “I see it as more fun than anything else. A lot carries over for me from one sport to the other. I see so much on the soccer field like I do on the court. Here, I’m able to read things and see things better.”
Ricklick anticipated penalty kicks by South Dade’s Kathleen Fisher and Ashley Mendez during the shootout round as the teams dueled until the sixth attempt for each side.
Palmetto’s Emma Weinberg broke the stalemate and sealed the victory when she rolled her shot low into the far corner.
On Friday, Ricklick had to choose between a regular season basketball game and playing for the soccer squad in the GMAC final. The Panthers were glad with her choice.
“Our goalie is special,” Palmetto coach Alex Castro said. “When she came today, I knew she would make it difficult for (South Dade).”
This story was originally published January 13, 2023 at 10:16 PM.
