Payne Moses is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Gilbert Christian High School for AZPreps365.com.

On March 31, Caprice Chiuchiolo achieved the same feat as her soccer hero, Lionel Messi – earning the right to represent her nation on the world stage.

Ecuador’s U-17 national team, a piece of the grander La Tri, qualified for its first ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (Oct. 16-Nov. 3) via a third-place finish in the South American U-17 Women’s Championship in Paraguay. 

Chiuchiolo, a Gilbert Christian High School senior, has accumulated an AIA 3A state championship, four years in Arizona Soccer Association’s Olympic Development Program and numerous awards across state, regional and international lines. 

Her competitive fire, however, is not fueled by internal ambition. It is directed by God.

“God’s here with me,” Chiuchiolo, 17, said. “He’s not ever going to leave my side.”

Chiuchiolo writes the Bible verse, Philippians 4:13, on her wrist before every game, regardless of what level of soccer she is playing. She noticed that some of her Ecuadorian teammates copied her pregame ritual before a friendly match in Bogota, Colombia, 10 days from the cup getting underway in first-time host nation Dominican Republic.

“Being able to glorify God even in a different language or a different place, with maybe girls who don’t know the Bible, it’s really cool to see everyone just come together,” Chiuchiolo said.

Chiuchiolo will represent more than just Ecuador on the field, but also her father, Antonio, whose family hails from the South American country. She said her Spanish-speaking skills and team relations have steadily improved after attending six training camps in Ecuador since the age of 14. 

Athletically, Chiuchiolo sprouted without the pedigree of some rising stars. 

Her mother, Alicia, and father played high school sports but did not go further. Soccer was not even a family fixture until Caprice came along.

Faith, though, has always been a centerpiece.

The Chiuchiolo family is three girls strong, and all attend Gilbert Christian. Angie, the middle child, is a sophomore and complements Caprice as a defender on the varsity squad. 

When not traveling for club soccer with Phoenix’s SC del Sol – all three girls play – the Chiuchiolos spend their Sundays at Mission Community Church in Gilbert.

“(Caprice) looks to her faith to help bring her up or give her strength, especially (now) being away from her family,” Alicia said. “She’s been pretty fortunate (in her soccer pursuits), but she’s worked really hard.”

On June 15, 2023, the first day college coaches could contact Chiuchiolo, her phone lit up with at least 30 calls from NCAA Division I programs. 

Chris Cissell, fifth-year coach of Grand Canyon University women’s soccer, was the first ring. Chiuchiolo said she listened to the remaining 29 offers, but her decision had already been made – and it was an easy one at that.

“The entire (GCU) coaching staff, they had been showing up to (my club soccer) games" Chiuchiolo said. “They were very consistent. I knew they were definitely showing interest in me.”

The call “sealed the deal” on Chiuchiolo’s personal assessment of the campus culture and desire to stay close to home. 

Chiuchiolo will be able to turn her verbal commitment into an official signing on Nov. 15.

Chiuchiolo’s faith might not have been more important than during the 2024 AIA 3A state playoffs. 

Gilbert Christian girls soccer coach Hector Orellana, who has been at the helm for Chiuchiolo’s entire high school career, lost his son-in-law, Marine Sgt. Alec Langen, in a helicopter training accident one day before the No. 1 Knights’ run to the state championship against No. 7 Safford. 

Chiuchiolo not only orchestrated two goals and four assists in the 8-0 title game, but was at the forefront of “1-2-3, Alec” chants throughout the Feb. 17 contest.

The then-second-year captain’s vocal leadership resonated with a team that included Orellana’s daughter, Daniella, who scored a goal of her own.

“I wanted (the team) to make sure the faith was real, and that God was real,” Orellana said. “During that playoff run, the girls basically saw faith-in-action being tested.”

Before her soccer career really took flight, Chiuchiolo shattered gender barriers as a freshman by becoming the first female to play on the Gilbert Christian varsity football team.

Danny Norris, Knights football coach from 2019-22, said any concern he had about Chiuchiolo evaporated when the two met in person. 

“I wouldn’t say (Caprice’s) your traditional build for a Division I soccer player, but, my goodness, she’s never let it stop her,” Norris said of the 5-foot-3 midfielder. “She’s excelled in everything she’s ever done in life, and I have no doubts that she’s going to continue to do the same.”

Norris recalled Chiuchiolo expertly relieving starting kicker, Kaleb Powell, who had meniscus surgery during the 2022 season. Chiuchiolo put a perfect 4-for-4 PATs through the goal posts in a 34-27 win over ALA Ironwood, and notably converted a 32-yard field goal despite sustaining heavy contact.

She nailed 41 of 43 extra points and two field goals over three seasons.

Her success was linked to 14-year NFL kicker Jay Feely, who revived the Gilbert Christian girls soccer program in 2015. Feely coached one of his four children, Lexi (2019 graduate), while passing on his expertise with the football team that featured his son, Jace (2021 graduate), a senior place-kicker at University of Colorado.

Chiuchiolo said she was inspired by Krysten Muir, a 2017 graduate of Marcos de Niza High School, who is believed to be the first female to score points in an AIA football game. 

“It was just cool to try something new and help my school, help Christ shine through,” Chiuchiolo said. “I learned whatever you put your mind to, you can do it with hard work and determination in God.”

Chiuchiolo will do her best to lead Ecuador out of the Group A pool (Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Nigeria) and into the quarterfinals and beyond. During a 2-0 win over Dominican Republic in Wednesday’s opener – Chiuchiolo fired off three shots on goal – brightened hopes of doing so.