Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: The Safford Bulldogs finished their season as the Arizona State 3A Conference Girls Soccer Runner-Up after falling 0-8 to Gilbert Christian in the championship on Saturday.
Gilbert Christian caps an unbeaten season with an 8-0 win over Safford
By Jon Johnson
SCOTTSDALE – The No. 1-ranked Gilbert Christian Knights capped an unbeaten 16-0 season with a mercy-ruled 8-0 state championship victory over No. 7 Safford on Saturday.
“It’s not the outcome we wanted – not the showing we wanted, but that’s a great team,” said Safford coach E.J. Romero.
It was the first appearance in a state girls soccer championship game for the Bulldogs, who finished their season 13-3-1 with upset victories in the playoffs over No. 2 Thatcher (3-1) and No. 3 Northwest Christian (2-0).
“This was our first time for Safford (girls) Soccer to ever be in a championship game,” Romero said. “Just the experience alone is beautiful for our girls . . . That’s (Gilbert Christian) a great team, so we’re just honored to be here and we’ll be back, we’ll be back.
Unrelenting pressure from the Knights saw multiple attacks on goal. Safford goalie Emilee Brown repelled most, but the continuing barrage soon found its home, and Gilbert Christian junior Caprice Chiuchiolo broke the ice with a goal at the 34:44 minute in the first half. Chiuchiolo would go on to score a hat-trick (3 goals) and bookend the game by scoring the final point of the contest as well.
After Chiuchiolo scored for the first time, the dam broke and Gilbert Christian hit for three more goals within about 5 minutes. Senior Jaidyn Wilson hit on a break and then freshman Mila Russo went off for three goals for her own hat trick.
Safford senior goalie Emilee Brown was shaken up multiple times during the contest and had to exit twice with an apparent hand/wrist injury that took her out for good early in the second half. Junior forward/fullback Robyn Motes filled in for Brown at goalie.
One of the Bulldogs’ rare scoring opportunities came on a breakaway by Trynity Dominguez late in the first half but was met at the kick by goalie Selah Hommell who blocked the kick attempt conserving Gilbert Christian’s 5-0 lead at the half.
Gilbert Christian’s scoring carnage then continued in the second half, with senior Daniella Orellana getting one to fall in between the final two goals by Chiuchiolo, who mercy-rule ended it with a score at the 17:04 mark in the second half.
To see more pictures from the game check out our photo album here on The Gila Herald Facebook page and like and follow.
