Though Greenwich High School’s girls lacrosse team’s home game against FCIAC rival New Canaan on Thursday didn’t result in a win, coach Tara Clough’s squad extracted several positives from the matchup.

Facing the Rams, one of the premier high school teams in the nation, the Cardinals put forth a representative showing and were within striking distance of their formidable foe late in the fourth quarter.

As it has done against most of its opponents, New Canaan finished the game strong, scoring four of the matchup’s final five goals on its way to recording a 13-8 victory at Cardinal Stadium.

Ranked No. 4 in the USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ Top 25 poll, New Canaan improved its record to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the FCIAC. Greenwich, which started the season 4-1 has a 4-4 overall record after dropping their third straight game, however, each one has been a close loss.

“New Canaan is a powerhouse,” Clough said. “We came out here and our goals were to play our game. We had a strategy that we thought was well executed. I thought the girls were very composed and they had good energy.”

The Rams, who advanced to both the FCIAC and CIAC Class L tournament final in 2023, were paced by a five-goal performance by senior Lexie Tully.

“We came out really strong the first half,” New Canaan coach Kristin Woods said. “I think that we had a little lull and then we got back after it. I think the kids are always up for a fight – Greenwich played great today.”

Greenwich senior captain/attack Emma Abbazia registered three goals and three assists, while junior attack Aubrey Roth recorded a hat trick to spark the Cardinals. The hosts trailed the Rams, 9-4, early in the third quarter, before cutting their deficit to two goals late in the fourth quarter.

“I’m really proud of our team, we knew that they were one of the powerhouses in the country and FCIAC, so I’m proud of how we did, but I think that we have a lot to  improve on,” said Abbazia, who recently achieved the 200 career goals milestone in her brilliant high school lacrosse career at GHS.

Abbazia further discussed what she believes the Cards need to improve upon.

“Ground balls we can do a little better on and just our aggressiveness,” she said.

Junior Sydney Patten, senior Devon Russell and junior Emma Row scored two goals apiece for the Rams, who also received one goal from sophomore Phoebe Shuh and junior Madeline Tully.

Sophomore attack Sophia DiPietro tallied twice for the Cardinals, who closed to within 9-7 of New Canaan when Abbazia converted an 8-meter shot and Roth scored off an Abbazia pass with 8:24 left in the fourth quarter.

The Rams made it 10-7 with a goal at the 8:13 mark of the fourth quarter. Another New Canaan tally with 6:13 remaining made it 11-7.

“Defensively, we weren’t communicating as we had been in the first and second quarter,” Woods noted. “The offense stepped up in the last few minutes and put a few in.”

Abbazia had three draw controls, as did sophomore midfielder Giselle DiPietro for the Cards.

“I think that we all came together as a team really well,” Giselle DiPietro said. “Obviously, New Canaan is really tough competition. But I think we were really loud on defense and it all came together. We kept our composure – no negativity, all positive – and we all worked together really well.”

Senior Katie Janis made five saves in goal for Greenwich, which entered the game off a tough 8-7 defeat to non-conference opponent Horace Greeley.

“I feel like they played with confidence and it made a big difference in our game,” Clough said of her Cardinals squad. “Coming off of our last game it was really important that we worked together as a team and communicated more effectively.”

In the second half, GHS was pretty efficient on offense.

“We moved the ball really well,” Giselle DiPietro noted. “In transition, we didn’t have that many turnovers. Last game we got in our heads a little bit, but I think in this game we were able to work off of that and become a better team.”

Senior attack/captain Mary Kate Frey assisted on a goal for Greenwich, which host FCIAC foe Fairfield Ludlowe Tuesday at 5 p.m.

New Canaan received six saves from junior goalie Cecilia Patterson. The Rams are in action again on Tuesday, as they will host conference opponent Westhill High School.

Woods was especially pleased with the type of first half her team played.

“We had great momentum, we had good shots,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of good things, we still have a lot to work on.”

As usual, the FCIAC is super competitive.

“I think there’s a lot of strong teams in the FCIAC,” Woods said. “When we go outside and we compete, a lot of our teams are playing well. It’s exciting to see, because we have been making each other better.”

After hosting Ludlowe on Tuesday, GHS will hit the road, playing at East Lyme on Thursday and rival Staples High School on Saturday.

“New Canaan is always a tough team, obviously – a lot of good players who are going to great colleges,” Abbazia noted. “They are a hard team to play, but I think next time we will definitely have a better game in us.”

Indeed, if the Cardinals compete as they did against New Canaan, the victories will come.

“I’m proud of them, they hustled the entire game,” Clough said of her team. “So, it was exciting. It was nice to see great ball movement across the board and I think our defense had moments of excellence working together as a team.”