Gilbert Christian senior Caprice Chiuchiolo has achieved a lot during her high school career.
Chiuchiolo made headlines as a member of the football team and ended up becoming an extremely dependable player. In three varsity seasons, she finished 37 of 40 on extra point attempts and 2 of 3 on field goal attempts. Soccer is her main focus, and it’s the sport that has driven her since she was young.
The attacking midfielder and Grand Canyon University commit has filled up the stat sheet, registering 75 goals and 52 assists while with the Knights.
She was a key part of the team’s run to the 3A state championship last game, which resulted in an 8-0 win over Safford — the largest margin of victory in a title game in Arizona Interscholastic Association history since the sport was first played in the 1989-1990 season. Chiuchiolo had two goals and four assists in that game. As as sophomore in the 2023 championship, she scored the Knights’ lone goal, though Gilbert Christian lost to Ben Franklin that year.
When she lines up on Thursday night at CFC Stadium in Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, Chiuchiolo will unlock a new achievement as a member of the Ecuador Under-17 national team, which is set to play in the World Cup. The first game will be broadcast on FS2 against the host country.
“It means everything to me,” Chiuchiolo said. “This is what I’ve dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. I’m extremely proud and blessed to be able to represent Ecuador in the World Cup. It’s going to be a great experience. I’m thrilled with the opportunity. I’m very emotional. I can’t believe it’s here.”
While Chiuchiolo will wear an Ecuador jersey, the country her grandmother is from, she takes pride in being a symbol of Arizona high school soccer on the international stage.
“It’s a huge privilege,” Chiuchiolo said. “I’m honored to represent Arizona and be able to give the kids that are playing soccer in Arizona that hope that their dreams can come true as well. I know a lot of great soccer players come out of Arizona, so it’s nice to be that little addition. To be able to represent GCU, my future college, Gilbert Christian High School, the entire Arizona Soccer Association, my club team, Del Sol, all my coaches, they’re all so excited for me. It’s great to be able to represent them in a way while I’m there.”
Gilbert Christian coach Hector Orellana first came across Chiuchiolo during a tournament in 2016.
It was obvious to him then that the middle schooler was different than her peers. Over the years, he’s watched her develop into one of the state’s most prolific players.
Now, he gets to watch her play on TV at one of the highest levels of the sport.
“It’s awesome she’s getting all this recognition and it’s all well-deserved,” Orellana said. “It’s a big accomplishment what she’s doing. As for our program, it’s great to bring eyes there. We’re just so proud of her to stand behind her and support her in any which way we can.”
Depending on Ecuador’s performance, Chiuchiolo will have about one month between the end of the tournament and the start of the high school season. If Ecuador reaches the final, which is set to be played on Nov. 3, she’ll have less than four weeks before the season opener. Gilbert Christian starts the year with a road trip to Yuma Catholic on Dec. 2.
It’s early, but the Knights will enter the 2024-25 season as heavy favorites to repeat in 3A, with Chiuchiolo and emerging sophomore forward Mila Russo (36 goals, 13 assists) both returning. The Open Division playoff bracket is coming this year to soccer for the first time, with 32 teams from the 6A, 5A and 4A conferences expected to be included.
Although Gilbert Christian is a 3A school, it could be granted an exception considering the team’s dominance (they went 16-0 last year with a +113 goal margin). Orellana said the team would welcome the opportunity if given the chance.
Regardless, Chiuchiolo hopes to use her World Cup experience as a springboard into her final season at Gilbert Christian.
“Playing at that top level is always preparing me for the next thing to come,” Chiuchiolo said. “To have this before high school season is going to be great preparation. I think it will set a good example and set the expectation of what we want to achieve this year, which is another state championship.”
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, ASU and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@gannett.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@LSscribe.
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