Sacred Heart Greenwich Varsity A lacrosse team captures Prep Cup championship in Massachusetts

By David Fierro on May 21, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo by Tara Shea Bacigalupo:** Members of the Sacred Heart Varsity A lacrosse team gather around with their coaches around the championship trophy after the team won the 2024 Prep Cup championship tournament at Dexter Southfield School in Massachusetts. The Tigers went 3-0 in the tournament, including a 9-4 win vs. Phillips Exeter Academy in the final.

Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A team traveled to Massachusetts over the weekend to compete in the 2024 Prep Cup tournament and returned home with a trophy in its possession.

The Tigers earned the cup-shaped trophy by winning the 2024 Prep Cup, going 3-0 in the eight-team tournament held at Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, Massachusetts. Seeded first, Sacred Heart posted victories against Holderness School, Phillips Andover Academy and Phillips Exeter Academy to finish in first place in the tournament.

With the wins, Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A team finished the season with a record of 15-3. The Tigers also concluded their 2024 campaign ranked No. 19 in the USA Lacrosse High School Girls National 25 Rankings.

**Photo by Tara Shea Bacigalupo**: The senior members of the Sacred Heart Greenwich Varsity A lacrosse team gather around the championship, cup-shaped trophy after the team won the 2024 Prep Cup championship tournament, held at Dexter Southfield School in Massachusetts. The Tigers won all three games they played in the tourney.

“We are so proud of this team for challenging themselves with a very difficult schedule this year,” SHG co-head coach Sharon Robinson said. “We finished 15-3 and played 10 teams that are nationally ranked. The girls were on the road a lot this season, playing teams from D.C, to Massachusetts and they persevered, working together as a team and coming up with some huge wins.”

In the championship game against Phillips Exeter Academy on May 19, Exeter had the lead early, but Sacred Heart gained momentum as the game progressed and wound up scoring the game’s last five goals to post a 9-4 win and capture the Prep Cup’s championship trophy.

“Ten different players contributed points for a very balanced attack,” Robinson noted.

**Photo courtesy of Tara Shea Bacigalupo:** Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A lacrosse team members huddle up during their game against Phillips Exeter Academy in the title game of the 2024 Prep Cup at Dexter Southfield School on May 19, 2024. The Tigers were victorious in the championship game, 9-4.

Junior midfielder Charley Bacigalupo recorded two goals and one assist to pace the Tigers’ offense. The Tigers also received one goal apiece from sophomore midfielder Georgia Lillis, senior attack Wowie Walker, senior midfielder/attack/captain Kaitlin Robinson, senior midfielder Lila O’Brien, senior midfielder/captain Payton Sfreddo and senior defender/captain Olivia Leahy. Senior midfielder Maggie Bacigalupo and sophomore midfielder Ryan Hodge and junior midfielder Daphne Fallon each assisted on one goal for the victors.

“We were especially excited to compete for and win the Prep Cup to culminate this special season and we are thrilled that so many players contributed to our success, offensively and defensively,” coach Robinson said.

Goalie Addy Flinchbaugh made six saves in Sacred Heart’s championship victory.

**Photo courtesy of Tara Shea Bacigalupo:** Sacred Heart Greenwich’s lacrosse team in action at the Prep Cup tournament.

SHG began play at the Prep Cup by earning a convincing 16-6 triumph against Holderness School in its first game of the tournament. Charley Bacigalupo tallied four goals and one assist, Walker had one goal and four assists, O’Brien added two goals and one assist and Sfreddo posted two goals and one assist to power the Tigers.

Fallon tallied twice, Maggie Bacigalupo notched two goals and one assist, Maggie Sweeney added a goal, as did Georgia Lillis. Audrey Bakker assisted on a goal for SHG, which received four saves from Flinchbaugh in goal and two saves from teammate Olivia Franco.

In their second game of the 2024 Prep Cup, the Tigers won against fourth-seeded Phillips Andover Academy, 17-11. Kaitlin Robinson led the way for SHG, registering a team-high four goals, while Sfreddo had a hat trick, as did Charley Bacigalupo.

**Photo by Tara Shea Bacigalupo**: The Tigers of Sacred Heart Greenwich finished a great season by winning the Prep Cup.

Walker added two goals and two assists, O’Brien had two goals and one assist and Maggie Bacigalupo converted two shots. Georgia Lillis (one goal, two assists) and Hodge (one assist) also contributed to the offense in the win.

“We have an outstanding group of seniors and I am so proud that they finished on top after playing so well all season long,” coach Robinson said. “The whole team was amazing this season and everyone is motivated to continue building upon this success.”

**Photo courtesy of Tara Shea Bacigalupo:** Maggie Bacigalupo, left and Payton Sfreddo of Sacred Heart react as the team excelled at the Prep Cup tournament, held at Dexter Southfield School in Massachusetts. The Tigers won the tournament.

Indeed, this 2024 season was one Sacred Heart’s Varsity A team will cherish and remember.

“The 2024 season was a special one,” SHG co-head coach Jackie Pierce said. “This senior class helped pave the way of success this season and led with grace, passion and grit. Our team has worked tirelessly every day to achieve their goals and improved every day as individuals and a team, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to watch them come together and thrive.”

**Photo taken by Tara Shea Bacigalupo**: Sacred Heart Greenwich reacts at the Prep Cup against Phillips Exeter Academy.

“We’ve had some thrilling victories and played a gauntlet of a schedule with seeing 10 teams who have been in and out of the top 25 nationally,” Pierce added. “To say this team and program is special is an understatement. As a coach, I couldn’t be prouder of every single player on this roster – their hard work, dedication, and passion for Sacred Heart Lacrosse have made this season one for the books!”