DELAND — Freshman Cooper Ball hollered “Chas,” from the right flank as sophomore Chas Smith centered a pass about 10 yards atop the penalty arc late in the first half. Smith heard his teammate and sent a perfect pass in Ball’s direction and he drilled it into the back of the net from just inside the right corner of the penalty area.
It was the only goal Bishop Moore would need, although senior Miguel Valencia scored with 48 seconds left, as the Hornets moved on to Saturday’s championship match with a 2-0 victory over Naples at Spec Martin Stadium on Thursday night.
“We’re possession at heart, so we’re always moving the ball,” said Ball. “Our philosophy is that we’re gonna keep the ball and the other team is gonna tire out.”
Bishop Moore girls soccer falls 1-0 in Class 4A state semifinal
Ball, a confident freshman, came off the field at halftime saying, “That’s what I do.” He laughed when ithat was mentioned after the game.
“That’s my goal. I always want to get on the scoresheet and it always feels good. Gives me some extra confidence to play the rest of the game through,” Ball said. “But it’s all the team. It’s 11 men, not one.”
The first-half scoring play was indicative of the deliberate passing attack engineered by Bishop Moore, and head coach Tom Hage lauded his two youngsters.
“The first goal by Cooper Ball was phenomenal and Chas put the ball in play. The composure of a freshman and a sophomore to combine to score in the state final four was critical right before the end of the first half,” Hage said.
Hage also credited assistant coach Craig Stephens for orchestrating the offense.
Bishop Moore boys soccer coach Tom Hage was all smiles Thursday night after his Hornets knocked off Naples 2-0 in the Class 4A state semifinals at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)
“This is all Craig Stephens’ mindset and he is beyond wiser than his years,” Hage said. “That’s all his plan of attack and they followed it to a T and I’m really happy for him.”
The team is hoping to make Hage happy on Saturday. The Bishop Moore coach has been snake-bitten in the final four over the past six seasons, but perhaps this could be the one — his first state title in his 19 season at the helm.
The Hornets (22-2-6), in their seventh-straight final-four appearance, will take on Plantation American Heritage (17-3-1) at 1 p.m., Saturday. It is Bishop Moore’s third state championship-game appearance in the past four seasons.
“Yeah, it goes without saying,” Hage said of his hope to finally win the big one. “I try not to complain because there are so many Orlando teams that don’t get the chance to get to the finals, so when we get there, we’re super happy.
Senior Winston Weibel sends a free kick just wide of the Naples goal during the Hornets 2-0 victory in the Class 4A state soccer semifinals at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)
“Whatever God has planned for us, we’ll have to deal with it. We’ll do our best and hope to break this string of not being able to win since 2001.”
The team is well aware of Hage’s hopes.
“This will be the one,” Ball said. “He wants to retire so bad that I think it’s about time.”
But is the rally cry to “Win One for Hage”?
“We’re playing for the brother on the left and the brother on the right,” Ball said.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
Bishop Moore players celebrate in front of a large contingent of Hornets fans after defeating Naples in the Class 4A boys soccer semifinals at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)
