Unbeaten Cardinal Gibbons girls soccer aims for another run to state final four
Over the years, Cardinal Gibbons girls’ soccer coach Margo Flack has had teams who specialized in defense.
She’s had others that could score a lot.
But rarely has Flack had a squad that could do both so effectively as this year’s Chiefs.
The result is Gibbons looking not only like a team capable of returning to the state final four, but perhaps one that could bring home a state championship.
“This team, they’re not focused on what that record says, they’re focused on each game when they walk on the field,” Flack said. “They’re not fazed by being down in games. It doesn’t seem to stress them out and they stay composed and they know they’ll come back and win.”
Flack has coached Gibbons for two decades and led the Chiefs to their lone state title in 2021.
After a couple of seasons spent looking for that formula again, Gibbons has found it with an experienced group that returned after an unexpected breakthrough to state last season.
This season, the Chiefs are the favorites and top seed in Region 4-3A.
Led by three goals from senior Mia Conard, the Chiefs gave another demonstration of their dominance on Monday afternoon with a comfortable 8-0 win over Aventura Don Soffer Academy in a Region 4-3A quarterfinal at Gibbons.
“The girls making it to state last year they’ve been there and know what it takes,” Flack said. “We’ve always played a tough season and we’ve had to convince them that the struggles are OK because we’re preparing for January and February.
“There have still been some struggles. It may not look like it because of our record, but they’ve fought some important things that I think will benefit them in the next few weeks.”
The Chiefs (18-0-2) will next host NSU University School - the team they beat for a district title last week - in the regional semis next Monday at 6. The Sharks beat Coral Springs Charter, 4-0, on Monday to advance.
“They’re a quality opponent for sure, but I feel like the girls can breathe a little this time,” Flack said. “They put more pressure on themselves for the district title to not be the ones to lose our streak of 10 (district titles) in a row. The do-or-die pressure, though, has been on us throughout the season, and I think we thrive in that environment.”
Conard has 23 goals and 10 assists this season to lead Gibbons’ attack. She is one of four players with double-digit goals, along with senior Caroline Findley (19 goals, five assists), sophomore Abigail Gillette (11 goals, three assists) and sophomore Reagan Hood (17 goals and 10 assists), a transfer from True North in Miami who did not play high school soccer last season after playing for the Titans in the eighth grade.
“Reagan was a nice addition for us and fit in nicely,” Flack said. “She’s not inexperienced, just wasn’t with our group.”
Gillette has also been instrumental on the back row this season along with junior Shiloh Simmons. The last line of defense has been junior goalkeeper Kennedy McCausland, who has 11 shutouts, 58 saves and has allowed 12 goals in 18 matches for a 0.74 goals against average.
“In the past few years, we’ve struggled scoring, but this is a very balanced team,” Flack said.
OVERTIME THRILLER
Region 4-3A quarterfinal - La Salle 4, MAST 3 (2 OT): Camila Andreu scored the game-winning goal for the Royal Lions in the second overtime off an assist from Senna Trafton. La Salle rallied from one-goal deficits three times in the match.
Cristina Echeverri scored the tying goal to send the match to overtime off a long punt from La Salle’s goalkeeper, Olivia Rodriguez-Salum.
Arantxa Santacana scored twice also with one coming off an assist from Luna Fernandez. The Royal Lions will travel to Fort Lauderdale next Monday night to face Pine Crest in the regional semifinals.
Region 4-2A quarterfinal - Carrollton 2, Westminster Christian 1: The Cyclones (7-6-3) scored a huge win on the road on Monday led by their defense and goalkeeper Cristina Cuervo, who had seven saves. Cecelia Jereissati and Mia Martell each scored goals as Carrollton advanced to the regional semis, and will play next Monday at Palmer Trinity.
Region 4-2A quarterfinal - Palmer Trinity 8, Miami Country Day 0: Scarlet Baur scored five goals to lead the Falcons (15-2-1), who won by mercy rule after 49 minutes at home on Monday afternoon. Lila Algarin had one goal and three assists, and Brooklyn Schiffrin had two goals and an assist. Valentina Herrera also had an assist and recorded her fifth shutout.
MORE GIRLS’ SCORES
Region 4-2A quarterfinal: True North 8, Riviera Prep 0; Ransom Everglades 2, Boca Raton St. Andrews 0.
Region 4-3A quarterfinals: NSU University School 4, Coral Springs Charter 0; Pine Crest 5, Gulliver 1
Region 3-3A quarterfinal: North Broward Prep 4, Delray American Heritage 0
Region 4-1A quarterfinals: Belle Glade Glades Day 4, Sheridan Hills Christian 1; Highlands Christian 1, Archimedean 0 (OT); South Florida HEAT 3, Westwood Christian 0.
BOYS’ RESULTS
Region 4-2A quarterfinal - Divine Savior 3, Boca St. John Paul II 0: Ian Jones scored all three goals for the Sharks (13-2-2), who will next host either Boca Raton St. Andrews or Palmer Trinity next Monday in the regional semifinals.
Region 4-3A quarterfinal: Downtown Doral 6, Cardinal Gibbons 0
This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 11:44 PM.
