Chiefs heading to 3rd straight 4A state championship game

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Cardinal Gibbons girls soccer team is heading back to the state championship final for the third straight year.

Senior midfielder Deborah Bien-Aime scored in the first overtime period and during penalty kicks and sophomore goalkeeper Andrea Stampone made two diving saves late to help the host Chiefs advance in penalty kicks 1-1 (3-1 in penalty kicks) as they defeated Bishop Moore in a Class 4A state semifinal on Friday night.

Bien-Aime, senior Paige Pierrelouis and sophomore Macy Berg each scored during the penalty kick session. Stampone came off the sideline and was inserted as the goalkeeper during penalty kicks and made two diving saves, including on the final Bishop Moore attempt.

“We work every day after practice for 15 minutes on penalty kicks and I was prepared,” Stampone said. “I was confident and it takes a lot of focus. It’s very exciting and the team believes in me. It was a great feeling.”

Cardinal Gibbons (11-2-1) is searching for its first state title in school history after falling in the state title contest during the past two seasons. The Chiefs will have another opportunity in Deland on March 3.

“It’s such an accomplishment and they were determined and worked hard from day one,” Cardinal Gibbons coach Margo Flack said. “We played a tough schedule and it prepared us well. It was a tough game and Bishop Moore is a quality team. We did not shut down and we came back out and continued to fight. We did not give up and we have a very determined bunch of players.”

The teams were locked in a scoreless tie at the end of regulation.

Senior Madison Rivard drilled a line drive on a corner kick toward the middle and the ball was headed into the net by Bien-Aime with 6:39 left in the first overtime period.

“It’s all about focus and it’s just determination to get to that spot,” Bien-Aime said. “We have worked so hard, especially during this shortened season. We really deserve getting back to the state final.”

The Hornets (18-4-1) answered back to tie the score with nearly three minutes left in the first overtime period after an own goal.

The Hornets missed a chance on a corner kick with nearly 90 seconds left in the second overtime period.

The Chiefs had a quality scoring chance with nearly eight minutes left prior to halftime after a high crossing pass was sent into the box, but the ball trickled away. They also were unable to take advantage on multiple corner-kick opportunities in the first half.

The Hornets were called for multiple yellow cards with nearly 24 minutes left, but the Chiefs failed to gain momentum on the ensuing free kicks on the Hornets’ side of the field. The Chiefs had their best scoring chance with just under 10 minutes left as senior Heather Astle delivered a high strike from outside the box toward the net, but the shot was turned away. The Chiefs also missed on a free kick shot that sailed over the net with 1:45 left.

Cardinal Gibbons junior goalkeeper Alexis DeVeaux stepped up throughout the contest and had a strong performance during regulation and the two overtime periods.