Lakeland Christian, Cardinal Gibbons win first girls soccer championships
By Official Florida FC
St. Johns Country Day capped off a decade of dominance with a comprehensive win over Fort Myers Canterbury in the FHSAA Class 2A state championship game at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand.
The Spartans’ 6-0 victory marked their 10th consecutive FHSAA championship and 13th in program history.
Senior forward Mia Sadler scored in the first minute. Paige Crews followed with the Spartans’ second moments later. St. Johns took a 3-0 lead at halftime courtesy of Sadler’s second in the 14th minute.
By the time Canterbury placed its first shot on goal, in the 68th the Cougars (21-3-1) trailed 6-0.
The Spartans never trailed at any point this season and outscored opponents 115-5 this season.
St. Johns will take a 33-game winning streak into the 2021-22 season.
CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP
Lakeland Christian 4, Delray Beach American Heritage 2
Lakeland Christian won its first FHSAA girls soccer championship on Thursday evening.
American Heritage equalized seconds before halftime. The Stallions (14-1-1) took the lead in the 50th minute via freshman Isabella Larriu’s team-leading 16th goal of the season.
American Heritage’s lead wouldn’t last long. Lakeland Christian senior Katie Carnes scored the 112th goal of her varsity career in the 57th minute to tie the game at 2-all. Maddie Lopez scored the go-ahead goal inthe 63rd. Carnes assisted Carly Sabat’s second goal of the game in the 70th minute to allow the Vikings to coast home to the title.
The Vikings (21-1-1) have knocked on the door for years. But, it was routinely closed by St. Johns Country Day. This year, was Lakeland Christian’s second in Class 3A and the Vikings made the most of the reclassification. Lakeland Christian outscored opponents 28-3 during its postseason run.
Lakeland Christian lost in the state final in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. The Vikings lost to eventual state champion Bolles last year. This year, there would be no denial.
CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP
Cardinal Gibbons 2, Arnold 0
Samantha Fuini scored a goal that will not soon be forgotten in South Florida.
The freshman’s 16th minute goal opened the scoring in Thursday’s Class 4A state final for Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. The Chiefs (12-2-1) added another with five minutes from leading scorer Sydney Polivka to send end it.
The contest featured two schools vying for their first FHSAA state championship. Cardinal Gibbons lost in the final in 2019 and 2020 to Jacksonville-area schools. Meanwhile, Arnold (13-5-2) was appearing in its first FHSAA state final.
[…] other team that will attempt to keep its hands on the trophy is Orange Park St. Johns Country Day. The Spartans (18-3-1) are in search of their 11th straight state […]