Entering Tuesday’s home game against Wilton, the Greenwich High School girls lacrosse team was undefeated through four matchups, while averaging an impressive 16 goals per game.

However, Wilton solved the Cardinals on Tuesday, using a stellar second half to steadily build upon a four-goal halftime lead on its way to recording a decisive 13-3 victory at Cardinal Stadium.

The Warriors, who ran their record to a perfect 7-0, were powered by senior Molly Snow and junior Addie Pattillo. The duo accounted for eight goals, scoring times apiece for Wilton, which went into halftime with a 6-2 advantage.

Greenwich, which played a solid first half, received one goal apiece from junior midfielder Emma Abbazia, senior attack Cece Tauber and freshman attack/midfielder Giselle DiPietro. The Cardinals had several long possessions in the opening half, including their first possession of the game, but the Warriors won the draw numerous times in the second half and were able to hold onto the ball the majority of the half.

“It was a very competitive game, in the first half we came out there with a plan, we had great leadership and possessions,” Greenwich coach Tara Clough said. “We have to work to convert quicker and on those possessions. The biggest difference in the second half they were winning the draw.”

“Wilton executed very well on the draw and capitalized on their opportunities in the second half,” Clough continued. “We struggled to come up with key possessions.”

Snow added three assists to her four-goal game, while senior Emerson Pattillo posted two goals and one assist in the winning effort. Over the course of seven games, all victories, Wilton has totaled 10 or more goals in each matchup, averaging 15 goals per contest.

“I love the way that they are bonding, developing and working together,” Wilton coach Meredith Meyran said of her squad. “I’m really excited about keeping our team keeping it going.”

The opening half began with Greenwich gaining possession and holding the ball for nearly four minutes. Tauber, Abbazia, junior attack/midfielder Mary Frey and Giselle DiPietro patiently moved the ball around the perimeter, looking for open shots. Wilton’s defenders responded by making it difficult for the Cardinals to get shots inside.

“I was really proud of the way they really worked together,” Meyran said. “They allowed the possession to develop without panicking. I thought we did a really good job of holding them. Greenwich is a very talented and we were aware of that, so we didn’t want to press out too much, too early.”

Wilton scored the game’s first goal with 18:02 remaining in the first half, then Greenwich tied the score at 1-1, behind a tally from Giselle DiPietro off a dodge at the 15:03 mark. The Warriors took the lead for good at 2-1 when Addie Pattillo, a University of North Carolina commit, tallied in transition with 13:23 left in the opening half.

Snow, scored off a free position shot with 7:53 to go in the first half and caught a pass from behind the net and positioned right in front of the goal, put a shot from close range past GHS senior goalie Daryl Furno, making it 4-1.

Later in the half with the Cardinals trailing 5-1, Abbazia, the squad’s leading goal-scorer, tallied, bringing the home team to within 5-2 at the 5:14 mark. The visitors entered intermission with a 6-2 edge.

“Our game plan, we followed it easily in the first half,” said Tauber, one of the Cardinals’ captains. “The first 10 minutes we were composed. For us, it’s a matter of sticking to our game plan and staying positive.”

Said GHS senior defender/captain MK Savio: “I don’t think this game reflected how our team played at all. We’re excited to see teams like them and possibly maybe them later in the season.”

Snow got the Warriors going in the second half, converting a shot off a dodge at the 22:54 mark. Greenwich responded with a goal by Tauber, cutting Wilton’s advantage to within 7-3, yet that proved to be the final goal for the Cardinals, who didn’t have many scoring opportunities thereafter.

“We knew if we didn’t win draws in the second half, the game was going to be really close,” “Meyran said.

Emerson Pattillo scored off a pass from her sister Addie senior Lucy Corry tallied in transition, increasing Wilton’s edge to 9-3. The Warriors, who advanced to the CIAC Class L Tournament semifinals last season, continued add to their lead as the half progressed.

Furno made eight saves in goal for GHS, which was forced to work hard defensively throughout.

“The defense held in there, we played well in the beginning, it’s just a matter of keeping up with our communication and our staying on top of our goals,” Furno noted. “I think we sort of lost some confidence in the second half, but we also stayed positive and we really helped each other stay up.”

Greenwich is playing another powerful FCIAC foe today – New Canaan at Dunning Stadium in New Canaan.

“We’re looking toward our next game,” Abbazia said. “During the huddle, we talked about not harping on our teammates or anything we are doing bad. Instead of being frustrated, we have to move on to our next game.”

“Wilton has a lot of players that are going to play at the next level,” Abbazia continued. “We know that’s a top team in the FCIAC.”

Following their game against New Canaan today, Greenwich visit Fairfield Ludlowe on April 25 and hosts Staples on April 29.

“I would definitely want to see that team again, they’re a great opponent, but we’re harping on the fact that the score didn’t reflect the effort and time we put into preparing for this game,” Tauber said. “I think next time we’ll come back hungrier than this game.”

“Sticking through it the whole game and giving 110 percent effort the entire time, that is what’s going to make our team better,” Savio added.

Said Clough: “We are a better team now than when we stepped on the field today.”