Greenwich Sentinel
Greenwich High School closed its fall season with a surge of championship performances. Three varsity teams secured state titles, one advanced to the state football final, and another reached the boys soccer final after a dominant run. The scale of achievement formed a portrait of a school moving with purpose, each program fortified by preparation, confidence, and depth.
The football team extended its postseason run with a commanding semifinal victory that signaled its readiness for a title defense. With Hector Lopez running around, away and through Fairfield Prep’s defense, Phil Tarantino completing key passes, and the defensive unit swarming to the ball, there was no doubt Greenwich would earn a return trip to the destination it had targeted all season. That destination is the CIAC Class LL final, which the Cardinals reached in dominant fashion.
Lopez ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries and Tarantino passed for 75 yards with one touchdown, while running for 104 more, powering third-seeded Greenwich to a 31–10 win over second-seeded Fairfield Prep. Greenwich, which won last year’s Class LL title, will face Southington in Saturday’s final. “We’ve been playing so great,” Lopez said. “The whole team has come together. Every single day we work so hard in practice, we’re just ready for another state championship.”
The Cardinals outgained Prep 340–199 and controlled possession for more than 30 minutes. Coach Anthony Morello said, “It’s a cold, wintery night, you got to seize the momentum right out of the gate. The plan was to come out, score first and put the pressure on.” Greenwich executed early and sustained control, taking the lead for good on an 11-play drive capped by senior captain Jack Kelly’s Wildcat run. From there, Greenwich widened the margin with a 30-yard touchdown from Tarantino to Hudson Squires. “Phil threw a perfect ball, it hit me right in the bread basket,” Squires said. Tarantino credited the design: “We saw the safety coming down, so we did a little hitch-and-go.”
Greenwich’s defense secured the lead. Justin Carroll partially blocked a punt, Michael Golden added a sack, Sebastian Parra recorded five tackles, and Andy Stedem produced two tackles for loss. “I think we thrive when we bring pressure,” Carroll said. Lopez added two second-half touchdowns, and Tarantino noted, “I feel like our offense has really found its rhythm since the Thanksgiving game.” Morello said, “We succeeded in all three facets of the game and that’s how you win a game like this.” Parra added, “Our goal isn’t to make it, it’s to win it.”
Girls soccer delivered a long-awaited milestone with its first state championship. Greenwich defeated Amity 4–0 in the CIAC Class LL final, pressing from the opening whistle, controlling the midfield, and converting opportunities with assurance. The result reflected years of development that reshaped the program’s competitive posture.
Girls volleyball followed with its own CIAC Class LL title, defeating Glastonbury 3–1 after dropping the opening set. The team recalibrated quickly and controlled the match through measured passing, strong blocking, and confident attacks. Senior captain Heidi Zieme led with 20 kills and 15 digs, completing a 25–1 season and securing the team’s third state championship.
Swimming and diving claimed another State Open title at Yale’s Kiphuth Exhibition Pool, posting 721 points. The win completed a sweep of FCIAC, Class LL, and State Open championships, propelled by school records, AllAmerican qualifying swims, and depth across events. Veterans and younger athletes combined to sustain pressure throughout the meet.
Boys soccer reached the CIAC Class LL final with a 20–1 record before falling to Staples. Setpiece execution shaped the 3–0 result, but the Cardinals’ season displayed balance, structure, and steady play. Coach Kurt Putnam noted the strength of the group and the standard it set.
