Host Cardinals top Trumbull in FCIAC field hockey matchup; Staples up next for Greenwich at Cardinal Stadium

By David Fierro on October 16, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo by David Fierro:** Kate Donnellan of Greenwich gets set to retrieve the ball during a home varsity field hockey game against Trumbull on Oct. 14, 2024, at Cardinal Stadium. She scored two goals in Greenwich’s 5-0 win.

It certainly has been an impressive month of action for the Greenwich High School field hockey team.

Since losing to Darien on September 12th, the Cardinals haven’t lost, winning eight consecutive games over a span of more than 30 days, their latest victory occurring on October 14th.

Receiving two goals apiece from senior Kate Donnellan and junior Emilia Arroyo, Greenwich extended its winning streak to eight games, topping Trumbull, 5-0, at Cardinal Stadium.

With the victory, the Cardinals improved their overall record to 10-3 and raised their mark to 10-2 in the FCIAC. Greenwich has won its last three games by a shutout and have blanked four out of their last five opponents. During that impressive stretch, they have outscored their foes, 37-1.

“We’ve had a lot of momentum going from game to game and we’ve been communicating and working really well on passing and skills and plays, so I think that’s helped us a lot,” said Donnellan, who captains the Cardinals along with seniors Stella Thibeault, Sofia Klingbeil and Isabel Pol. “We’re hoping to keep this momentum going.”

**Photo by David Fierro:** Josefina Balaguer of Greenwich moves the ball down field during varsity field hockey action against Trumbull at Cardinal Stadium on Oct. 14, 2024. The Cardinals were victorious, 5-0.

Thibeault got the Cardinals going offensively versus Trumbull, scoring off a penalty corner with 7:21 remaining in the first quarter. Senior Lexie Carino, who helped pace Greenwich’s defense, assisted on the goal with a well-placed insert pass.

“I think a lot of the things we’ve been working on in practice – our transferring and not forcing it to one side – we implemented in the game and we showed all the things we’ve been working towards all season,” Thibeault said.

Still in the first quarter, Donnellan stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 2-0, scoring off an assist from Thibeault at the 3:09 mark.

Photo by David Fierro: Delfi Rotella passes the ball for the Greenwich High School field hockey team vs. Trumbull.

Donnellan struck again with 13:17 to go in the third quarter. Her goal came off an assist from junior Clara Ojea Quintana, making it 3-0 in favor of the hosts.

“It was a great game for us,” GHS coach Megan Wax said. “We’ve been working hard on our passing and our transfers, especially coming in out of the backfield. I thought our ‘D’ and our midfield did a really great job of executing that.”

Junior Emi Arroyo knocked the goal into the cage, as it deflected off the Trumbull’s goalie’s pads, putting GHS in front, 4-0 with 10:17 left in the third quarter. The goal came off a penalty corner. Arroyo concluded the game’s scoring, converting a penalty corner opportunity at the 7:35 mark of the third quarter.

Carlota Lopez controls the ball along the sideline for the Cardinals’ field hockey team against the Eagles of Trumbull.

“Our passes were great, we were moving the ball really quickly, it’s the fastest we’ve played all season,” Donnellan said of the Cards’ performance against the Eagles. “We’re looking to keep that up against Staples and keep the passes going. We are working on our corners to make sure we execute them better.”

Greenwich hosts Staples in an FCIAC showdown tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium. Staples enters the game with a record of 12-0. Currently, the Cardinals have the fourth best record in the FCIAC behind Staples Darien and Ludlowe and are ranked fifth in the state in Class L.

Greenwich varsity field hockey coach Megan Wax congratulates the players after GHS scored a goal versus Trumbull.

“Staples is fantastic, they always are,” Wax noted. “This year, they’re great as usual. We’re going to prepare as best we can.”

Freshman Tatum Wunderlich got the shutout win in goal for the Cardinals, who conclude their regular season Saturday with a home/Senior Day game against non-conference opponent Cheshire at 12 p.m.

Photo by David Fierro: Greenwich High’s field hockey team gathers during a timeout in play vs. Trumbull.

“It’s a really great team to be a part of,” Thibeault noted. “I think we can go really far in states this season. This our year to prove that we are a really good team and show all the work we’ve put in through the years.”

As for the team’s upcoming Senior Day?

“A lot of us have been in this program since freshman year,” Thibeault said. “It’s a day to appreciate all we put into this program.”

Greenwich’s Kate Donnellan in action against Trumbull in varsity field hockey action at Cardinal Stadium. GHS won, 5-0.

Indeed, the Cardinals have a lot of positive feelings as the postseason rapidly approaches.

“We’re really excited this is our last season together, so we want to make sure that we’re finishing on a strong note,” Donnellan said. “All this momentum we’ve had from eight games ago, we’re keeping it going and not giving it up.”

Greenwich High’s varsity field hockey team has won eight games in a row.

Said Wax: “We started the year off really tough; we had four games in seven days and two of them were our losses. It was kind of the motivator that we needed and pointed out some of our weaknesses early in the season that we’ve been able to hone in on and practice. From our freshmen to our seniors, everybody has been taking good, positive strides, so I’m proud of them.”