State soccer in DeLand: Cardinal Gibbons girls defeat Arnold, claim 1st championship
After two straight seasons of having to settle for second best, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons finally got its state championship Wednesday afternoon in DeLand.
For Panama City Beach Arnold, the wait for its first state championship will have to continue for a little while longer.
The Chiefs (12-2-1) got goals from Samantha Fuini and Syndey Polivka to take a 2-0 victory in the Class 4A title game at Spec Martin Stadium and atone for state final losses to Jacksonville-area schools Bolles and Bishop Kenny in the last two seasons.
More:The Florida state high school soccer finals are in DeLand this week. Here's the schedule.
The Marlins (13-5-2) were shut out for the first time since falling to Niceville, 1-0, on Dec. 17, though it wasn't for a lack of chances.
There were two golden opportunities in particular in the second half that Arnold could not convert, with the first coming on a penalty kick following a brilliant run by Marlins winger Marissa Sparks that ended up with Julia Steinbrecher getting tripped up in the box after Sparks had weaved through a pair of defenders and left the ball off.
Olivia Lebdaoui, Arnold's top goal-scorer this season with 25, stepped in to take the penalty, but her right-footed shot toward the left post was stopped by Alexis Deveaux to preserve the Chiefs' 1-0 lead.
The Marlins had an even better chance on goal shortly after the second-half water break, with Zoe Looker stepping in front of a careless pass deep in the Chiefs' half and getting a clear shot from inside the box.
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However, Looker's left-footed strike hit the top crossbar and bounced back into play.
The Marlins were unable to find any more chances, and the Chiefs were able to put the game away thanks to a perfectly-placed right side corner kick from Madison Rivard that Polivka leapt up and headed past Arnold goalkeeper Allie Dalton with just five minutes remaining.
While the second Cardinal Gibbons goal was a product of skill and execution, the first came off of a regrettable mistake by the Arnold back line.
After a nice move by left winger Heather Astle to get free for a cross into the box, Marlins freshman Sadie Fish mishit the clearance. The ball landed at Fuini's right foot for an easy tap-in goal in the 32nd minute.
The Marlins nearly equalized six minutes later when Lebdaoui found a loose ball just above the box and hit a hard left-footed strike that required a diving save by Deveaux.
Cardinal Gibbons turned up the pressure in the second half, nearly adding a second goal in the 55th minute with three straight chances.
The first came on a left-footed strike by Astle that hit off the crossbar. Sophia Zinn got the rebound but Dalton made a nice save at the near post to force a corner kick.
It was Zinn who nearly scored on the ensuing corner with a nice header to the far right post that was cleared away by Fish to save a goal.
Cardinal Gibbons dominated the game statistically with 10 shots on goal to just three for Arnold, with the Chiefs outshooting the Marlins, 12-3, after halftime. The Chiefs also doubled up the Marlins in corner kicks, 4-2.
Dalton finished with five saves for Arnold, while Deveaux stopped four shots for Cardinal Gibbons.
FHSAA state soccer finals schedule
Thursday, boys' title games
Class 4A: Panama City Beach Arnold vs. Pinecrest Gulliver Prep, 1 p.m.
Class 2A: Orange Park St. Johns Country Day vs. Fort Myers Canterbury, 4 p.m.
Class 3A: Tampa Catholic vs. Westminster Christian (Miami), 7 p.m.
Where: Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, 260 E. Euclid Avenue, DeLand
Tickets: $9 in advance, $12 day of game (online purchases only through GoFan app)
Parking: Free
COVID-19 protocols: Face coverings and physical distancing will be required for non-active participants and all spectators while inside the venue. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.