Cardinal Gibbons girls'
soccer team reaches 4A final
By MIKE
PHILLIPSmphillips@MiamiHerald.com
February 13, 2009
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Cardinal Gibbons players celebrate their third goal against Cypress
Lake in the first half of their FHSAA Class 4A girls' soccer semifinal Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 in Tampa. Cardinal Gibbons won 4-0, and advances to Saturday's championship. |
How does it feel Cardinal Gibbons?
What's it like to be one step away from a state -- and a national title?
''It's awesome,'' said midfielder Macy Huskey. ``No it's not. It's awwwwwwww-some!''
That's where the Gibbons girls' soccer team is today, on the cusp of a national title, with the players feeling a little awesome.
Who could blame them?
After waiting forever to reach the state final four, the Gibbons girls knew just what to do when they arrived: They pelted Cypress Lake 4-0 Thursday at Pepin Stadium in the Class 4A semifinals -- and it wasn't that close. It could have easily been 7-0 at halftime.
They might feel awesome, but there isn't a drop of smugness in them.
''We haven't won anything yet,'' said Jennifer Crittenberger, one of three seniors on the team and a co-captain along with Nicole Grunwald.
They have their feet on the ground, headed to the state title game against Ponte Vedra Saturday.
''We are one step away from what we have been dreaming of,'' said goalkeeper Haylee Shoaf, who had five saves in her 19th shutout.
Go ahead and pinch yourselves. It's no dream.
Gibbons is 29-0-2 and ranked No.1 in the nation, and just 80 minutes away from a mythical national title -- and a big red banner.
If you have never been to the Gibbons gym, you wouldn't understand. The west wall is covered in red banners from the school's prolific volleyball program.
''I know what that getting that banner on the wall means to them,'' said Gibbons coach Margo Flack, who was part of two volleyball titles as a player. ``They know they are one game away from getting that banner and the state title. It just shows the kind of determination they have.''
Determined? They promised it.
Flack's players told her at the beginning of the season they would be the first Gibbons team to make it to the state final four. When they won last week to earn the trip, the girls shouted about ''making history.'' Now they are one victory away from becoming legendary.
The secret?
Nobody cares who scores. As Crittenberger said: ``We have faith in each other.''
Thursday was a microcosm of Gibbons' magical season. Four different players scored, and the team's leading scorer -- Huskey -- didn't take a shot until the final two minutes.
Gibbons is arguably the most unselfish team.
''We all have the ability to do it, and it doesn't matter who scores,'' said Kim Schumacher, who gave Gibbons a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute of the game off a pretty cross from Sara Trexler.
''I've never been around a team this close. It really is all about the team,'' said Jenny Grant, whose header gave Gibbons a 2-0 lead in the 33rd minute.
Less than two minutes later, Sarah Motta made the play of the day, with a turn-and-fire shot from about 25 yards out that left Cypress Lake helpless.
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-schools/story/901250.html
