Perhaps now, more than ever, every high school girls hockey game is a challenge in the FCIAC, as Greenwich High School’s girls team is well aware of.

Darien, New Canaan, Stamford/Westhill/Staples, Trumbull/St. Joseph and Fairfield Ludlowe co-op have proven to be formidable teams and Greenwich has held its own against most of the foes it has faced, its latest challenge coming on Jan. 23 against the Fairfield Ludlowe co-op squad.

Fairfield co-op scored the game’s first two goals, the Cardinals tallied twice in the second period, but visiting Fairfield had too much offense in this matchup, skating to a 6-2 win at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink.

Greenwich has an overall record of 5-9 and FCIAC mark of 2-4 heading into its road game against Ridgefield at Winter Garden Ice Rink on Jan. 29 at 3:30 p.m. Against Fairfield Ludlowe co-op, senior co-captain Lexi Carino and freshman Hailey Dreher registered one goal apiece for the Cardinals.

Fairfield co-op came out strong from the start, seizing a 1-0 lead on a goal by freshman Scarlett Robbins, who scored two goals. Amaya McNeil, a freshman defender and Cameron Greco, also a freshman defender each assisted on Robbins’ goal, which occurred with 8:46 remaining in the first period.

“They outskated us for about 60 percent of the game,” Greenwich coach Doug Jebb said. “They dictated the pace of play and it was very high. We have a young team, we have 14 sophomores and freshmen (combined) and sometimes I think we forget how fast a pace the FCIAC games can be.”

With 13:56 left in the second period, Fairfield doubled its lead. McNeil scored off an assist from Cameron Greco, making it 2-0. The Cardinals soon cut their deficit in half though. Carino, a defender, snapped a shot home after controlling a pass from sophomore defender Carlyn Duffy, bringing GHS to with 2-1 with 13:12 to go in the second period.

However, Fairfield answered with a goal by Robbins just 22 seconds later to take a 3-1 advantage. The Cards again responded. This time, Dreher twisted the twine with the puck at the 8:45 mark of the second period, pulling GHS to within 3-2. Senior forward/captain Aubrey Roth and freshman linemate Charlotte Dengl-Kelly each assisted on the tally.

Again Fairfield widened its lead, tallying with 7:19 to go in the second period to go ahead, 4-2. Junior Mairead Kelly notched Fairfield’s fourth goal.

“As soon as we got within one or two goals, they scored another goal land that’s hard to come back from,” Jebb said.

Kelly capped Fairfield’s four-goal second period by scoring with 50.1 seconds to go in the frame, making it 5-2. Cardinals freshman goalie Eleanor Woolven faced numerous shots throughout the game, making a lot of saves along the way.

“We have skilled players, we made a few mistakes in our own zone,” Jebb said. “We have to learn how to score a little bit better. Against a team like that, two goals isn’t enough.”

“We skated hard and I think sometimes you have to tip your cap to the opposition,” Jebb added. “We’re getting better week-to-week and we don’t give up.”

Roth and Carino continued to show their fine leadership as captains, as the team skated and competed hard throughout against Fairfield.

“The last five minutes of the third period, we kept on pressing,” Jebb noted. “We’re a very resilient group. Every game we’ve played we’ve come from behind, even in our victories. So, we need to get out to a lead, which makes it easier to play.”

“Our captains played well,” Jebb continued. “Lexi Carino provided great leadership on the blue line, she was aggressive, she scored a goal and Aubrey Roth played very well. Hailey Dreher, a freshman, scored her first goal for GHS varsity hockey.”

Greenwich fared well against its next opponent, Ridgefield earlier this season. The Cardinals topped the Tigers at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink, 6-3, on Dec. 21.