By Sentinel Sports
The Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS) Girls Varsity Hockey team picked the perfect time for a program-defining moment. On February 28, the Tigers secured their first-ever Fairfield Athletic Association (FAA) Championship in dramatic fashion, knocking off crosstown rival Greenwich Academy 3-2 in overtime. It was the kind of game that could give parents in the stands early gray hairs—momentum swings, clutch goaltending, and a golden goal that will live on in GCDS lore.
Caroline Muzzio ’26 played hero, burying the championship-winner nine minutes into overtime off a slick setup from Raela Polanish ’28. The Tigers bench emptied onto the ice in celebration, capping off a back-and-forth battle that had all the hallmarks of a classic.
“This was the most complete team effort the girls gave all season,” said head coach Ashley Bairos. “Despite the score going back and forth, they showed their resilience and ability to keep battling!”
It was a true heavyweight fight. Greenwich Academy, a perennial power, tested GCDS all night, but the Tigers refused to blink. Lila Braddock ’26 and freshman Selkie Brown ’28 found the back of the net to keep GCDS within striking distance, while goaltender Gracie Kepler ’27 stood tall with 16 crucial saves.
“This team has worked so hard all season, and to see them win in such dramatic fashion is just incredible,” said Tim Helstein, GCDS Director of Athletics. “Watching them storm the ice after the game-winning goal will live in my memories forever. The team’s sacrifice and devotion have paid off. It’s the perfect ending to a historic season.”
It didn’t come easy. Regulation was a rollercoaster, with both teams trading goals, defensive stands, and near-misses. Late in the third period, Coach Sarah Hughson used a timeout to fine-tune the Tigers’ power play, setting up a final push that nearly ended the game before overtime.
But overtime is where legends are made. And when Muzzio saw her chance, she didn’t miss.
With the title secured, GCDS isn’t just celebrating a championship—they’re setting a new standard for the program. The Tigers are no longer just a team on the rise. They’ve arrived.
