Cardinals field hockey team registers victories versus Westhill, Ridgefield, St. Joseph to raise record to 7-3

By David Fierro on October 7, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Photo by David Fierro: Greenwich’s Stella Thibeault here in action during a game against Mamaroneck, assisted on two goals in the Cardinals’ recent 4-2 road win over Ridgefield.

Receiving a balanced scoring effort and sensational defensive play, the Greenwich High School field hockey team is riding a five-game winning streak.

The Cardinals went 1-0 last week, defeating St. Joseph, 9-1, after topping Westhill, 10-0 and recording a well-earned win over rival Ridgefield two weeks ago. Three weeks ago, Greenwich was victorious against Norwalk, 4-0 and edged Wilton, 2-1, scoring on a penalty corner on the game’s final play.

Against Ridgefield on Sept. 26, the visiting Cardinals received goals from four different players on their way to the victory. Kate Donnellan opened the scoring for Greenwich versus Ridgefield, getting a goal off an assist from Stella Thibeault with 11:42 remaining in the first quarter. Clara Ojea Quintana scored off another Thibeault assist for Greenwich’s second goal at the 6:15 mark of the opening quarter.

With 3:56 still remaining in the first quarter, Thibeault set Lexi Carino up for a goal, giving GHS a 3-0 advantage. In the fourth quarter, Sofia Klingbeil tallied, capping the Cardinals’ scoring. Ridgefield scored a goal in the second quarter with 3:54 left and had a third quarter goal at the 6:59 mark. Tatum Wunderlich made six saves in goal, in helping lead GHS (7-3) to the win.

From left to right: Stella Thibeault, Isabel Pol, Kate Donnellan and Sofia Klingbeil are senior captains of the Greenwich High School varsity field hockey team, which has won seven of its 10 games so far this fall.

In the Cardinals’ dominant 10-0 triumph against visiting FCIAC foe Westhill on Sept. 28, Donnellan scored two goals, as teammate Ava Cocozza. Julia Van de Rotte, Ava Caminiti, Thibeault, Delfi Rotella and Josefina Balaguer each added one goal apiece in the win.

“Our wins were a full team effort with every single player positively contributing and moving our team forward,” GHS coach Megan Wax said. “With each passing week, our chemistry on the field is growing stronger and our communication clearer and consistent.”

“Our ability to pass the ball more efficiently and more wisely coupled with strengthened defensive rotations and recovery really helped propel us forward,” Wax continued.

Donnellan and Thibeault each recorded hat tricks for Greenwich, which rolled past St. Joseph on Oct. 4. Emilia Arroyo, Josefina Balaguer and Anna Boezen added one goal apiece for the victors.

“We had a bit of a slow start from the hour-and-a-half bus ride but found our stride in the second quarter,” Wax noted. “It was a great team win with everyone on the roster contributing and making forward progress individually and for us as a team.”

The Cardinals are in action again Wednesday with a matchup against Brien McMahon in Norwalk. They will host New Canaan on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium.