Rivals in numerous sports, Greenwich Academy and Sacred Heart Greenwich are also beginning to build an ice hockey rivalry.

The Gators, an established varsity ice hockey program and the Tigers, who are in their fourth season as a hockey program, but playing their inaugural season as a varsity team, tested their skills against each other at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford on Jan. 29 and both squads had their moments.

In a back-and-forth game with plenty of action and impressive play, Greenwich Academy earned a 4-3 victory in this Fairchester Athletic Association game for its third win of the season.

Emma Harrison scored two goals, while Maggie Lyden registered one goal and one assist to lead the Gators.

“It was definitely a hard fought game for us to come out on top,” GA senior captain Lila Cabot said. “They gave everything they had and showed how good a team they are. But we were able to come together as a team and we came out on top with some hard-fought goals.”

Sacred Heart Greenwich, which celebrated its Senior Day during this matchup at Chelsea Piers Connecticut, received one goal apiece from senior captain Ainsley Clough and freshman Lauren Clark.

“It was good hockey, everyone was working really hard,” Sacred Heart coach Chris Myhro said. “The energy level was good, the compete level was good. They had a lot of fun out there, both teams, so it was good.”

Greenwich Academy took a 1-0 lead with 3:51 remaining in the first period. Shooting from the left faceoff circle, Lyden snapped the puck past SHG goalie Katie McQuillan, who made several fine saves prior to the game’s opening goal.

With 1:15 left in the first period, the Gators went ahead 2-0. Julia Duval took a shot from the right wing that deflected off McQuillan’s pads and positioned at the post, Lyden knocked the rebound into the net, putting GA on top, 2-0. Junior alternate captain Ella Loehnis was also credited with an assist on the goal for GA.

“It was a tough game, we’ve had quite a few games in the last few weeks,” said Loehnis, a forward, who generated shots on goal throughout this FAA contest. “We’re working hard as a team, there’s definitely so much we can learn this season and we’re going to try to improve as much as we can.”

Said Cabot, a defender: “The whole game was a battle back and forth. Both teams fought the whole time.”

The Tigers responded in the second period. Senior Ainsley Clough scored on a one-timer off a well-executed pass, bringing Sacred Heart to within 2-1 with 13:24 to go in the second period. Clark evened the score at the 10:31 mark of the second period for Sacred Heart.

Open on the right wing, Clark took a hard slap shot that found its way past GA goalie Lauren Connell, tying the score at 2-2. Like Sacred Heart’s McQuillan, Connell made a number of nifty saves in goal.

“Our team played absolutely amazing,” said Clough a Tigers captain. “We worked for every single play.”

Clough noted that SHG was especially excited for its special Senior Day game.

“Senior Day motivated everyone,” Clough said. “Our team has a good culture and great chemistry. We are always there for each other and I think that was really strong during this game.”

It seemed as though the score was going to be tied at 2-2 heading into the third period, but GA struck just before the second stanza ended. Harrison scored on a tip-in off a shot by Lyden from just above the right faceoff circle, making it 3-2 in favor of Greenwich Academy with only four seconds to go in the second period.

The Gators have a record of 2-1 in the FAA. Their loss came on Thursday (Jan. 30) against Greenwich Country Day School at Greenwich Skating Club. Greenwich Country Day has a record of 2-0-1 in the FAA.

“We have a very young team, it’s been good to watch our team grow so much as we learn how to play with each other,” said Greenwich Academy senior alternate captain Caroline Watts, who turned in a strong performance.

At the 12:17 mark of the third period, GA took a 4-2 advantage on a goal from close in by Harrison. The Tigers got to within 4-3 when Schwind tallied off a breakaway with 6:28 left in the final period.

Sacred Heart senior captain Emma Mulcahy is pleased with the strides the program has made since its inception just several seasons ago.

“This is the fourth year and the first year as a varsity team,” Mulcahy said. “We have definitely made the program intense and we’ve become a lot more experienced. We’ve gotten a lot more experienced players, which has been super helpful and our practices are more structured. Our drills and practices are more technical. It’s been super helpful to make the program even better than it was.”

Said coach Myhro of developing the hockey program at SHG: “It’s been a lot of fun, I like building things. I’ve done it with various programs. It’s fun for me. I like to be at things from the beginning, build from scratch, mold the culture and start the story.”

Cabot has certainly enjoyed her several seasons on GA’s hockey team, with this her senior season being especially special.

“It’s been a privilege being a part of this team and lead this group and allow them to experience what I’ve loved being a part of,” Cabot said.

Sacred Heart, which has three wins on the season, is in action again on Feb. 3 against Greenwich High School at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink at 4:30 p.m.

“This is our first year as a varsity team and I think my role as a captain is to keep the foundation of the program and make sure everyone on our team is pushing each other in every practice and every game,” Ainsley Clough noted.

Greenwich Academy visits Millbrook School on Feb. 3, then plays Darien on Feb. 5 at Darien Ice House at 4 p.m.

“We are just going to keep working, look for opportunities, keep pushing and see what we can do,” Watts said. “Our goals is to continue to learn and grow as a team and individuals.”

Maggie Lyden, left and Niamh Cooney of Greenwich Academy in action during an ice hockey matchup vs. Sacred Heart.