Late goal lifts Cardinal Gibbons girls’ soccer to comeback win over North Broward Prep
The Cardinal Gibbons girls’ soccer team has often had to scratch and claw for every bit of success it has had this season.
But as the Chiefs have noticed in recent weeks, the struggle continues to prove to be worth it.
Friday evening was no different as Gibbons fell behind early and then battled through a stalemate for 90 minutes with host North Broward Prep.
That was until sophomore Caroline Findley controlled a through ball from Julianna Torres and fired a shot that found the back of the net to lift the Chiefs to a 2-1 victory over the Eagles in a Region 4-4A semifinal at North Broward Prep.
Gibbons (10-6-1), the No. 4 seed in the region, will next travel to Delray Beach to face American Heritage on Wednesday night in the regional final.
Gibbons lost to American Heritage in this same round in 2022 before the Stallions went on to win a state title. Last season, Heritage was the state runner-up.
It is the fifth time in the past six years that the Chiefs have made it to the regional finals and second time in three seasons since winning their first state title in 2021.
“This team is very different from when we won it all,” Gibbons coach Margo Flack said. “They work hard for everything they do and I think it shows by our record. Our season was a frustrating one, but we played a very tough schedule. Now if you ask them they’d understand why we did it. It prepared us for a tough game like tonight.”
Gibbons lost 1-0 to North Broward Prep during the regular season on Nov. 28. It was part of the Chiefs’ 4-6-2 start to the season that included losses to NSU University School, St. Thomas Aquinas, Archbishop McCarthy and Pembroke Pines Charter.
Friday’s match appeared headed that route until Torres, a senior and one of two players remaining from Gibbons’ 2021 state championship team, provided the equalizer in the 51st minute.
The rest was up to Findley, who followed up an impressive four-goal performance in the regional quarterfinals, with her clutch shot near the end of regulation.
Gibbons’ victory extended its unbeaten streak since then to seven games. North Broward Prep struck first on a goal by Sumayah Brown, which was the first goal the Chiefs allowed since Jan. 10 in the last match before that unbeaten streak began.
“(Torres)’ energy on the field alone, everyone feeds off of it,” Flack said. “She creates a lot for us. She worked really hard for the goals she gets. She was injured in the district final so it’s taken a little bit for her to get back to herself.
“Going into overtime and Caroline knowing it wasn’t on her to score four goals, she just needed to concentrate on one. That’s the nice thing about our team. It’s a total effort.”
NEW POWER RISING?
After missing the regional playoffs each of the past two seasons, the Mater Lakes’ boys’ soccer team secured its first trip to the regional finals following a 2-1 win on Friday at home against Delray Beach American Heritage.
Gabriel Zapata and Henry Mantilla each had goals to lead the Bears, who improved to 14-0-1. Mater Lakes will next take on a major test when it travels to face Gulliver Prep, ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps, on Wednesday. The Raiders (22-0-1) narrowly escaped an upset on Friday when they defeated Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 4-2 in penalty kicks after a scoreless tie through regulation and overtime.
MORE GIRLS’ RESULTS
Region 4-3A: Davie NSU University School 3, Coral Springs Charter 0.
Region 4-2A: Miami True North 2, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 0; Davie South Florida HEAT 6, West Palm Beach Berean Christian 1.
MORE BOYS’ RESULTS
Region 4-4A: Gulliver 0, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 0 (Gulliver wins 4-2 in PKs)
Region 4-3A: Downtown Doral 1, NSU University School 0; Doral Divine Savior 2, Miami La Salle 0.
Region 4-2A: Pompano Beach Highlands Christian 1, West Palm Beach Berean Christian 0.
This story was originally published February 9, 2024 at 9:52 PM.
