GILBERT — No strangers to drama or the championship level, Salpointe Catholic rallied, converted — and won another state title.
Daniella Weitman converted the final penalty kick after the teams tied at 4 through 110 minutes of play and 3-3 in the shootout to lift the Lancers to the Class 4A state championship Tuesday night over Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep at Williams Field High School in Gilbert. Salpointe’s fifth state championship in six years came in harrowing fashion. On Saturday, Salpointe needed penalty kicks to beat Walden Grove. And on Tuesday, the Lancers trailed before finding the back of the net in the final minute of regulation.
“That’s the craziest game I have ever played in my life,†said Weitman. “They’re a great team. We just wanted it. We weren’t going to go out without winning.â€
This was after the Lancers, a No. 7 seed, rallied from a 3-1 deficit with 24 minutes left in regulation against the top-seeded Saints.
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“The size and speed of them we could not match,†Salpointe coach Kelly Pierce said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge. But I didn’t know just how tall they were.â€
Both teams made their first three penalty kicks in the shootout. Maci Bernier, Trinity Morales and Gabi Amparano were all successful for Salpointe.
Notre Dame missed twice, setting up Weitman’s heroics.
The Lancers had to rally in regulation simply to force overtime. After Notre Dame took a two-goal lead, Salpointe's Paris Mikinski knocked in a shot that was bobbled by Saints goalkeeper Acacia Connor.
The Saints dominated possession much of the night and never really allowed Salpointe to find an offensive rhythm. The Lancers had few chances, but took advantage when they could.
In the final minute of regulation, Bernier crossed a corner kick and the sleeveless Rylen Bourguet fired a point-blank shot to force extra time.
“We knew we were the underdogs going into the season,†Bourguet said. “We knew we were going to be overlooked by a lot of teams.â€
Anjeli DesRosier knocked in a rebound after a long throw in from Mikinski to give Salpointe a 4-3 lead seven minutes into extra time. But Notre Dame scored on a header a little more than a minute later and it stayed that way after 100 minutes.
The “golden goal†sudden death periods ended scoreless, setting up the shootout decider.
Photos: Salpointe wins 2022 Class 4A state girls soccer title
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic’s Paris Mikinski (31) celebrates her first half goal against Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic players celebrate their overtime win in a shootout to win the 4A State Soccer Championship over Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic players celebrate their overtime win in a shootout to win the 4A State Soccer Championship over Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic players celebrate their overtime win in a shootout to win the 4A State Soccer Championship over Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic players celebrate their overtime win in a shootout to win the 4A State Soccer Championship over Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Saturday, Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic players celebrate their overtime win in a shootout to win the 4A State Soccer Championship over Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic players celebrate their overtime win in a shootout to win the 4A State Soccer Championship over Notre Dame Prep at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic’s Rylen Bourguet (2) battles for the ball with Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep’s Caitlin Radomski (10) during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic’s Paris Mikinski (31) celebrates her first half goal with teammates after scoring against Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic’s goalie Madison Smith (0) collides with Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep’s Jacinda Connor (1) during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic’s Cyvia Jimenez (6) battles for a head ball with Notre Dame Prep’s Ella Osmussen (20) during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic's Maci Bernier (25) battles with Notre Dame Prep's Ella Osmussen (20) during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic's Trinity Morales (10) uses her body to block Notre Dame PrepÕs Halle Howe (25) during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Notre Dame Prep's Jacinda Connor (1) goes over the back of Salpointe Catholic's Kyleigh Oliver (3) for a head ball during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

In a cluster of players Salpointe Catholic's Rylen Bourguet (2) uses her head to score a goal against Notre Dame Prep in the closing minutes of their 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic’s Rylen Bourguet celebrates her goal against Notre Dame Prep in the closing minutes of their 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on Feb. 22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic’s Rylen Bourguet (2) celebrates her goal against Notre Dame Prep in the closing minutes of their 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on Feb. 22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic's Rylen Bourguet (2) dribbles past two fallen Notre Dame Prep players during overtime during their 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic's Anjeli DesRosier (26) celebrates her goal against Notre Dame Prep during overtime during their 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert , Feb.22, 2022.
Salpointe vs. Notre Dame Prep, girl's soccer, 2022

Salpointe Catholic's Trinity Morales (10) uses her body to block Notre Dame Prep's Halle Howe (25) during the 4A State Soccer Championship at Williams Field High School in Gilbert Feb.22, 2022.