Greenwich High School’s varsity girls soccer team has consistently climbed the ladder of success the past several years and its 2022 season was its best since 2015, when it advanced to the quarterfinal-round of the CIAC Class LL Tournament.

Now the Cardinals are intent on building on the momentum and confidence they gained from their 2022 season, which saw them earn a record of 9-5-5, while making it to the FCIAC Tournament semifinals and Round of 16 of the CIAC Class LL state Tournament.

“There has been a lot of progression Greenwich head coach Simon Rumbold said. “The nice thing is we have a lot of players returning and there is a nice bulk of players who have played for me in the youth club prior, so there’s a good understanding of what I’m looking for and how we’re going to play.”

Last season saw the Cardinals improve as the season progressed. Greenwich played its best soccer in October, going 5-0-3 to earn a berth in both the FCIAC and Class LL tournaments. Greenwich finished the 2022 regular season with a 7-4-4 mark, then as the No. 7 seed, edged second-seeded Ridgefield, 1-0, in the FCIAC Tournament quarterfinals in a game that was decided in penalty kicks.

The Cardinals played well in a 3-1 loss to Staples in the FCIAC semifinals, then as the No. 14 seed, proceeded to post a decisive 5-0 victory over No. 19 Shelton in the first round of the 2022 Class LL tourney. Greenwich was eliminated with a 5-0 loss to third-seeded Staples in the Round of 16 of the state tournament – the Wreckers went on to win the Class LL championship. The Cards’ triumph against Shelton marked their first win in the state tournament since the 2015 season and their victory over Ridgefield in the FCIAC tourney was their first triumph in the conference tournament in more than five seasons.

Graduation claimed a strong group of players from last season’s successful squad, but the Cardinals also return an experienced nucleus of athletes and welcome talented newcomers to the squad.

“I’m feeling very good about our team, we’re very composed,” said Greenwich senior Julia Acosta, one of the Cards’ four captains. “We’re starting to get used to the new players and in practice we are looking really good. We’re getting really prepared for Brien McMahon on Thursday.”

The Thursday game against Brien McMahon Acosta mentioned marks Greenwich’s 2023 season-opener. Joining Acosta as senior captains are Adriana Jones, Meghan Ross and Brooke Wilkowski. The foursome are each beginning their fourth varsity soccer season.

“Coming out of COVID that first season three years ago, we made the decision that we are going to prioritize younger players, specifically, that group of girls,” Rumbold said of his senior captains. “They have grown throughout their careers. I don’t think there’s been a set of captains who have had more experience in terms of playing time.”

“They have been varsity players for four years and they have experienced the growth of the program and the success we’ve had,” Rumbold continued. “That’s a real positive. I’m really happy with them, they’ve been great in terms of getting the girls together.”

A forward (right wing), Acosta is one of the athletes the Cardinals are counting on to lead the way offensively. After graduating from GHS, she will continue her soccer career at Fordham University.

“It’s been great, I’ve enjoyed every moment of it, I’ve met such great people from playing on our team and now I get to go on and play at the collegiate level,” Acosta noted. “I’m very excited for this opportunity.”

Wilkowski brings skill and experience to the center midfielder position.

“Center mid is in the middle of the pitch, so people are on top of you pretty fast,” Wilkowski said. “But because this team is so competitive, it’s pretty easy to get support and everyone has been pretty good at looking for the ball and going forward.”

Ross, a centerback, will be looked upon to help spark Greenwich’s defensive effort. Indeed, the Cardinals know they must be at their best each game in order to make their mark in the ultra-competitive FCIAC.

“It’s definitely competitive, but I think knowing the FCIAC makes us strive to play better and stronger as a team in whole,” Ross said.

Jones will also solidify the defense as a centerback.

“We are working really strong, we’ve been connecting really well, both on and off the field,” Jones said of the squad’s defenders. “We’re looking to be competitive in the FCIAC this year and win some big games.”

Also bolstering Greenwich’s offense is forward Emma Abbazia, a senior four-year varsity player. Abbazia, who will play Division I lacrosse at the University of Maryland, scored two goals in Greenwich’s 5-0 win over Shelton in the opening round last season’s Class LL Tournament.

In the Cardinals’ FCIAC Tournament win against Ridgefield, Abbazia scored on her key penalty kick. She also helped ignite Greenwich’s offensive output throughout the past several seasons.

Junior Taylor Carrescia is a returning midfielder/forward, who should help power the squad’s offense, as should junior forward Skylar Aysseh.

Among some of the other returning players are junior Lauren Dionis (defender), junior Ellery Harte (defender), senior goalie Laura Olmstead, junior goalie Lauren Huang and sophomore center midfielder Julia Gustafsson.

“I think we have a really competitive team,” Wilkowski said. “Everyone wants to play and I think it brings the level up really high when everyone is competing for spots. “We have a lot of new girls and all the girls are very talented, so I think this year, we’ll continue to go up. It’s been extremely positive – we have a close-knit team and everyone loves to play.”

Twelve players graduated from the Cards’ 2022 team, three of whom were captains Isabella Gega, Caroline Lawrence and Ali Pennella. Pennella was an All-FCIAC First Team selection in 2022 and 2021 and is playing soccer at Brandeis University.

Gega, who started in goal, earned All-FCIAC Second Team honors one season ago, while Lawrence was an All-FCIAC Honorable Mention selection. In Greenwich’s win over Ridgefield in the FCIAC Tournament quarterfinals last season, Abbazia, Ross, Pennella, Gustafsson, Jones and Aysseh each made their penalty kicks, lifting the Cards to victory.

Returning as an assistant coach is Erin Martschenko.

“They have both been around for a while and they have united us a team and hammer in those soccer values for us,” Ross said of Rumbold and Martschenko. “They also help us connect as a team as well.”

To the left, Emma Abbazia in action for Greenwich during a scrimmage game against Bethel. To the right, Julia Acosta takes a corner kick against Bethel. Abbazia and Acosta will be looked upon to help lead the Cardinals’ offensively, this fall.

SCHEDULE: After visiting Brien McMahon on Thursday, Greenwich hosts Fairfield Ludlowe on Sept. 11. The Cardinals’ home games also include: St. Joseph (Sept. 13), New Canaan (Sept. 22), Staples (Sept. 27), Darien (Oct. 6), Stamford (Oct. 9), Westhill (Oct. 18) and Fairfield Warde (Oct. 23). Some key road games include: Wilton (Sept. 18), Trumbull (Sept. 29) and Ridgefield (Oct. 12).

“We’re just looking to score some goals, get some points on the board, beat the strong teams and compete,” Jones said. “The young players are going to be a great group on our team and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish.”

“Our potential as a group is high,” Rumbold said. “It is going to take a lot of work ethic the right things happening at the right time. If we do that this year, then we are going to be in for a fun season.”