Holding a one-goal lead late in the second half, before Ridgefield tied the score, Greenwich High School’s girls lacrosse team came close to defeating the Tigers and advancing to the FCIAC Tournament semifinals.

Yet a Ridgefield goal with only 38 seconds remaining in the second half stunned the Cardinals and sent the Tigers into the next round.

Sophomore Caroline Trinkaus scored with 38 seconds to go, giving fourth-seeded Ridgefield a 12-11 comeback win over fifth-seeded Greenwich in the FCIAC Tournament quarterfinals, which was held on Thursday in Ridgefield.

The Tigers jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the first half, then the Cardinals seized the momentum, going ahead in the second half. Sophomore attack Emma Abbazia recorded four goals and three assists to ignite Greenwich’s offense.

“Our team worked so hard all week and left everything on the field,” Greenwich coach Tara Clough said. “Offensively, we maintained our composure and executed our strategy. Lacrosse is a game of runs. We had the momentum and then we broke down our communication and let up a smidge, they came back and we just ran out of time.”

Junior attack Cece Tauber registered three goals and one assist, while junior midfielder Sophia Neitzell tallied twice to also pace the Cardinals offensively.

Senior midfielder Noey Johnson and junior defender MK Savio added one goal apiece for Greenwich, which led 10-9 with just under six minutes remaining in the second half. Freshman attack Aubrey Roth assisted on a goal for the Cardinals (9-4).

“I am so proud of our team,” Clough said. “They were amazing with key possessions, defensive stops and fluid transition against a strong Ridgefield team.”

Clough credited Savio, junior defender Kaitlin Kelly, Abbazia and Tauber for sparked the team’s hustle.

“I’m so proud of all our team has accomplished this season,” Clough said. “Our team has truly grown in the game and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the state tournament.”

Greenwich is currently ranked ninth in Class L. The CIAC Class L state tournament includes 16 teams.