The Greenwich High girls lacrosse team capped off a winning week with a 12-6 victory over Glastonbury High, extending their win streak to four games in a row.
In their third game of the week, Greenwich (6-1) proved why they belong in the FCIAC discussion come playoff time with convincing victories over Danbury, St. Joe’s, CCC foe Glastonbury (3-3) and an overtime thriller against Wilton in the past week.
“This was a huge win for us,” said GHS head coach Caitlin Young. “Glastonbury is always tough and we lost a tough game to them last year. We’ve had a long week with a three-game week, but to be able to push through this one was great and I’m proud of them.”
After trading goals for most of the first half, the Lady Cardinals broke a 4-4 tie with four consecutive goals to end the half up 8-4 over the Tomahawks. Glastonbury’s Catherine Guanci put on an offensive show with two first half scores, but they were quickly retaliated with goals from Maggie O’Gorman (2), Erika Bloes and Paige Mautner.
Mautner and O’Gorman combined for six first half goals and Mautner would finish with a team-high four goals.
“We’re trying to prove to the FCIAC and the state that we’re a team to look out for, and just because we lost a lot of seniors last year, it doesn’t mean anything.” said Mautner. “We’re definitely coming in hot and everything is gelling. We know we have the talent. The effort comes down to us.
In goal, Greenwich’s Kathryn Crouchley played the entire game and recorded seven saves in the contest. Behind stellar defense, contested shots and Crouchley’s command in goal, the Lady Cardinals are putting their best foot forward as they gear up for some tough competition still left on their schedule.
“Kat is a momentum booster for us and a momentum killer for the opponents,” said Young following the win. “When you can get stops on the defensive end, it really helps the attitude of the girls and the defense plays that much better in front of her.”
“I don’t think we put in our best effort against Danbury on Tuesday. We got a big out-of-conference game coming up against Yorktown (NY) and then Darien the following week. We wanted to make sure the effort of that game isn’t indicative of how we can really play.”
Elizabeth Lufkin scored a first-half goal after her teammate Erika Bloes stole a pass intended for a Glastonbury player and found an open Lufkin for the easy score.
Attack Kate DeWinter came up with two goals on the day, highlighted by a shot she fired across her body to increase a second-half lead for the Cardinals to 9-5.
Romy Villemure tacked on an insurance goal for Greenwich off a Glastonbury turnover and put the game out of reach as the Cardinals scored the final three goals of the game to end it at 12-6.
“One of the biggest things we’ve been talking about is game management,” said Young. “I think later in the week we took a turn for the better. We wanted to get some more deliberate possessions. At the end of the first half, we really talked about having them come out and guard us. We took some additional time off the clock, which resulted in them changing their defense and us going on a run.”
Up next for the Lady Cardinals is an away match at Stamford High next week followed by two key home games in hosting Yorktown (NY) and Darien. Daniel Hand (NY) and Manhassett (MA) are the remaining out-of-conference games for the Cardinals, who say the unfamiliar opponents bring out the best in them. Greenwich is also slated to host Ridgefield in their regular season finale at Cardinal Stadium
“I like the out-of-conference games,” Mautner said. “The whole state of Connecticut is really challenging and it’s good to see how they play in case we see them in states.”
