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Greenwich High girls lacrosse team stops Staples, advances to Class L Tournament quarterfinals against rival Ridgefield

Senior captain Cece Tauber carries the ball down the field for the Greenwich High School girls lacrosse team in its state tournament game against Staples at Cardinal Stadium on May 30, 2023, in Greenwich. Photo by David Fierro

By David Fierro

Greenwich High School’s girls lacrosse team began action in the CIAC Class L Tournament in impressive fashion and Emma Abbazia celebrated her birthday in style against visiting Staples in the opening round of the state tournament.

Abbazia, a junior midfielder, continued her scoring surge, tallying a game-high five goals for the fifth-seeded Cardinals in their decisive 13-5 win over 12th-seeded Staples in the first round of the Class L Tournament.

The triumph advanced Greenwich to the Class L quarterfinals, where it will visit fourth-seeded Ridgefield tomorrow at Tiger Hollow Stadium. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will mark the third time the Cardinals and Tigers will meet. Greenwich defeated Ridgefield during the regular season and in the quarterfinal-round of the FCIAC Tournament.

Freshman attack Giselle DiPietro recorded a hat trick, while senior attack Cece Tauber also scored three goals and added one assist for Greenwich, which held a 5-2 halftime lead on Staples.

“Last time we played them we started off slow,” said Abbazia, who also registered three draw controls, two ground balls and forced five turnovers in the winning effort. “We knew that they were a good team and that also we had it in us. I think our offense moved really well together. We ran through our sets and we were able to run free play also off the fastbreak.”

Freshman midfielder Leighton Collier totaled one goal and one assist for the Cardinals, who also received one goal from sophomore attack Aubrey Roth.

“We showed that we have a lot of options and threats on offense, it wasn’t just one person scoring all of our goals,” said Abbazia, who celebrated her birthday yesterday.

Indeed, the Cardinals were pleased to see several players step up in the scoring department.

“In the first half, you can see the distribution of goals and points overall, that’s something that we striving for all season,” said Tauber, one of the Cards’ captains. “We’ve been relying on returning players to put up our points, but seeing one of our freshman score three points and our freshman convert on a free position is exciting for our team.”

Senior goalie Daryl Furno made five saves for Greenwich, which received another stellar defensive effort, with senior captain MK Savio, senior captain Keira Young, senior Sophie Roth, Lacey Warwick (senior) and Kaitlin Kelly, also a senior leading the way.

“We started off really strong, we wanted to come out and make a statement after the FCIAC Tournament, because that really didn’t end the way we wanted to,” said Savio, referencing the Cardinals’ loss to Darien in the FCIAC Tournament semifinals. “We wanted to play as one cohesive team unit and not have one person take over. I think we did that very well. The defense played together and communicated really well and the offense trusted in each other and converted.”

Greenwich coach Tara Clough was highly impressed with what she witnessed on both sides of the field.

“I thought it was a great game, a total team effort,” Clough said. “I’m real proud of our defensive play. MK Savio was a standout and I think we played with composure and we moved the ball well – you can see our improvement.”

“Offensively, it was great to see some other players step up and we had some good ball movement,” Clough continued.

Staples received three goals and three draw controls from senior Jaden Melo and one goal apiece from junior Caroline Cooper and senior Cameron Retcho.

Katherine Fitzgerald, a sophomore, had six draw controls for the Wreckers, who dropped a 13-8 decision to GHS during the regular season.

Aubrey Roth scored the game’s first goal early in the opening half, then Giselle DiPietro tallied shortly after, giving the host Cards a 2-0 lead on the Wreckers. Tauber had Greenwich’s third goal and Abbazia converted a shot at the 16:36 mark of the first half, making it 4-1.

“The key was we all worked together,” Young said. “We loved to show everyone what we had today. We locked up on every individual and we stayed control. We are so excited to be playing in the quarterfinals, it will be a great run.”

A goal off a dodge from Giselle DiPietro put the Cardinals ahead, 5-1, at the 9:48 mark of the first half. Melo converted a low shot from the right side with 8:56 to go in the opening half, pulling Staples to within 5-2.

That’s the closest Staples got however, as GHS extended its advantage once the second half commenced. Giselle DiPietro converted a free position shot, setting up an eight-goal second half for Greenwich. Abbazia scored four times in the second half, with Tauber also sparking the offense.

On defense, Sophie Roth gathered four ground balls and caused a turnover, while Savio caused three turnovers and had two ground balls. Abbazia caused five turnovers and Kelly had three draw controls for the victors. Against Ridgefield so far this season, Greenwich won an 11-4 regular-season decision on May 4, then edged Ridgefield, 13-12, in come-from-behind fashion in the FCIAC Tournament semifinals, recently.

“I’m excited to get another crack at Ridgefield,” Tauber noted. “It’s exciting to play on that field one more time. Ridgefield is a great team so it’s definitely going to be some great competition.”

Greenwich High School’s girls lacrosse team gathers following a victory over Staples in the first round of the state tourney. Photo by David Fierro
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