Like last season’s varsity soccer matchup between Sacred Heart Greenwich and Greenwich Academy, Thursday’s game featured back and forth, intense action.

And like last season, only one goal was scored in this rivalry game, with the tally going to the Tigers.

Sophomore midfielder Arianna Chin recorded a goal in the 19th minute, propelling visiting Sacred Heart past Greenwich Academy, 1-0, in a hard-fought FAA win. With the victory, the Tigers improved their record to 4-1-1, a mark they improved on today, with a 4-1 home triumph against FAA foe Greenwich Country Day School.

Sacred Heart Greenwich has won five consecutive games, resulting in a record of 5-1-1.

“I saw a different side to our team today,” SHG coach Stuart Smith said. “We really showed that we can dig in when our backs are to the wall and we needed to protect a lead. Protecting a 1-0 lead, that is a first for us so far this season.”

Greenwich Academy sports a 3-2-1 record thus far for first-year coach Kate Sands. A 2014 Greenwich Academy graduate, Sands takes over the head coaching reigns for Alistair Lonsdale, who guided the varsity program for more than a decade. She was a varsity assistant coach on Lonsdale’s staff the past several seasons.

“Teaching at GA is a job I love and coaching has always been one of my favorite parts of the job,” Sands said. “These girls are incredible, so getting to know them and watching them grow through the years is something pretty special. It’s been fun.”

The winning goal in Thursday’s FAA rivalry game occurred with 20:17 remaining in the first half. With the Tigers applying pressure on the Gators, Chin scored on a shot from just over 10 yards out on the left side, giving Sacred Heart a 1-0 lead. Junior forward Eva Wilkerson assisted on the goal. Madison Hart, a senior forward, also helped set up the game’s lone goal. On the play, Greenwich Academy goalie Este Tejpaul made a save on the initial shot on goal she faced.

“It was a great battle for Madison and on the win, she crossed it in and Eva passed it to me,” Chin said. “Somehow, it went in the goal and I’m really proud of that. It’s my first FAA goal against a tough team and a rival of ours.”

Especially in the opening half, SHG held the possession advantage in this FAA matchup on GA, which was defeated by the Tigers in 2022, 1-0.

“We knew they liked to play direct with their long balls,” said Sacred Heart tri-captain/forward Madison Hart. “So, we were trying to force them to make mistakes, so we can win the ball back and counter.”

During their current five-game winning streak, the Tigers have outscored the opposition19-5, while flourishing in all areas of the field.

“We’re deep in our bench, we have so many players who can come on and make an impact and I think that’s going to go a long way,” Madison Hart noted. “We were first to all our 50/50 balls, which we put a lot of emphasis on.”

After Sacred Heart claimed a 1-0 lead it threatened to increase its edge, with Madison Hart creating a chance, but GA senior goalie Este Tejpaul kept it a one-goal game.

Greenwich Academy’s best chances in the first half came on a pair of free kicks by senior Lola Tirabassi, one occurring in the 27th minute, the other coming 10 minutes later. Sophomore goalie Olivia Figueiredo kept the Tigers in front, then made a save on a shot late in the first half on a nice connection from GA’s Ruby Montanez and Maggie Whidden.

Senior Olivia Leahy, Giada Coviello, a senior, Maggie Bacigalupo (senior) and sophomore Jaiden Vital sparked Sacred Heart’s standout defensive effort.

“Our energy and focus was definitely there,” said Leahy, a tri-captain. “I think it’s the best we’ve shown all season. I was really impressed with the 1-zero lead that we were able to hold the entire time.”

“I’m so impressed with our overall fight, we really pushed through to earn this win and the three points for the FAA league,” Leahy added.

Once the second half commenced, Greenwich Academy upped its play up front in an effort to tally the equalizer.

“The team’s work rate was impressive,” said Tirabassi, one of GA’s tri-captains. “The effort we put in – we didn’t give up. We worked together as a team and though we were missing a couple of players due to injuries, I think everyone bounced back and were connecting passes. Sadly, we didn’t get a goal but I think the work rate was great.”

Freshman forward Clare Greisen hit the cross bar with a free kick for Sacred Heart early in the second half and Tejpaul made a save off a well-placed header by Bacigalupo in the 57th minute.

Tejpaul, a junior tri-captain for GA, liked the team’s defensive performance.

“I thought they really stepped up,” Tejpaul said. “When the defensive line works and each and everyone plays together, it makes a huge difference. We really stayed together, we talked a lot and that’s why we had such a low scoring game today.”

Sands is accustomed to seeing Tejpaul rise to the occasion in goal.

“Este saves us all the time,” Sands said. “She had a couple of 1-on-1 breakaway shots, so we’re really lucky to have her. Este’s saves were pretty amazing.”

Active throughout on the left side, Wilkerson helped pace the Tigers’ offense, while sophomore teammate Scarlett Pfistner made her presence felt in the midfield.

“I think GA played a really good game today and they pushed us hard,” Smith noted. “They took us right to the wire. Credit to GA for bringing out the best in us.”

Said Leahy: “It was definitely tough, Maggie and Jaiden, they did a great job in the middle of getting some headers and keeping the ball away from Olivia. It was tough with the pressure. We did a good job of keeping it out and getting the shutout.”

Greenwich Academy hosts FAA foe Greenwich Country Day School Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

“I thought everyone put in a lot of effort,” Greenwich Academy senior tri-captain Molly Moore said of the team’s game versus SHG. “That was probably one of our strongest games of the season in terms of effort. I think we stayed together as a team, we kept our composure. It’s too bad we didn’t get a goal at the end, but we still put all of our effort in.”

Added Tirabassi: “It’s always a very emotional game, but we try to stay composed and focus on the soccer part of it. It’s always good competition and we’ll be ready to play them again when it comes to the league tournament.

Sacred Heart hopes to extend its winning streak to six games when it hosts FAA opponent Hopkins School Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

“Teamwork in general and communication have been key for us,” SHG senior defender/tri-captain Ashley O’Meara said. “We all have really good respect for each other and we are all super close on and off the field. That helps us when we’re passing the ball and we are trying to make a team effort for the goal.”

“We’re off to an amazing start,” Madison Hart added. “I’ve never been so excited about a team until this season.”