The final high school soccer match for seven GPS senior starters was everything they could have ever dreamed of.
The Bruisers poured on three goals in the second half of Friday’s TSSAA Division II-AA state final to handily defeat Briarcrest Christian 4-1 at CHI Memorial Stadium, with the Chattanooga program making the most of what amounted to a home-field advantage.
After scoring the lone overtime goal of a 2-1 semifinal win against Hutchison on Thursday, GPS forward Sasha Carbone had said the title match would be a moment “to go big or go home.” Her performance Friday and the short trip required to reach the venue in East Ridge essentially allowed her to do both.
The sweet taste of victory began to set in when Carbone scored her third goal in the 74th minute, providing what proved to be the final margin. Fellow senior Kennedy Ball, having already played a part in the team’s first three goals, made one final connection with her close friend, offering an unselfish pass in close for Carbone’s last score as a Bruiser.
Ball then raised her hands to her head, signaling Carbone’s hat trick to the large and ecstatic pro-GPS crowd.