A dynamic defensive effort and dynamite offensive performance resulted in another victory for Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A lacrosse team, which seems to get stronger each and every game.

Facing a formidable Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child team, the Tigers bared down defensively, making it difficult for the visitors from Summit, N.J., to generate scoring opportunities. On offense, Sacred Heart’s attack and midfielders executed efficiently in a decisive 9-4 win over Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child at Magnetti Field on April 5.

With the win, the Tigers raised their record to a perfect 5-0 to start their 2025 season.

“In terms of the overall game, we have to give it to our defense,” Sacred Heart Greenwich Varsity A head coach Jackie Goldmann said. “Our defense played amazing. They’ve been playing amazing every game no matter who we play they execute.”

“To allow just four goals to a team of that strength, we have to give it to them, because they have been definitely coming up big this season,” Goldmann continued.

Junior Addy Flinchbaugh made three saves in goal, while teammate Olivia Franco, a sophomore stopped two shots for the Tigers, who led throughout.

“They really have a good combination, they work really well together and both of them come up with saves when we need them,” Goldmann said of the squad’s goalie tandem.

Sophomore midfielder Maggie Sweeney recorded a hat trick with one assist, freshman attack Peyla Carcaterra tallied two goals and one assist and senior midfielder/captain Daphne Fallon notched two goals for SHG. Senior midfielder/captain Charley Bacigalupo had one goal and was instrumental in helping the Tigers gain possession, registering eight draw controls.

“Coming into the game we were really excited, because Oak Knoll is amazing, we had a great game against them last year,” Bacigalupo said. “I think we worked on not having as many turnovers this game, keeping possession and our defense played amazing.”

Junior attack Georgia Lillis posted one goal and one assist for the victors against a tough Oak Knoll squad.

“It was a really good team win, we played good on both sides,” Fallon said. “Our defense played unbelievably, it took the other team a while break down and we got interceptions, which allowed our attack to capitalize on that and make plays. Overall, from the draws, to the cuts on offense, to the interceptions, it was a great game.”

Carcaterra scored the Tiger’s first goal against Oak Knoll, then Fallon tallied off an assist from Lillis. Sweeney converted a shot in transition off an assist from junior midfielder Ryan Hodge.

Sweeney’s free position shot gave SHG its fourth goal.

“The team started really strong and we were really confident going into it,” Sweeney said. “Everyone was composed and good with the high pressure.”

Lillis scored off a pass from Carcaterra and Bacigalupo converted an 8-meter shot for the hosts’ sixth goal of the game versus Oak Knoll.

“They started the second half playing high pressure so we had to adjust and do some of our plays for the backer, which I think we executed really well and had great cuts off of it and good feeds,” Bacigalupo noted. “It was a really good start and I think we kept our momentum throughout the whole game, which made it even better.”

Freshman Sasha Mollett assisted on Carcaterra’s second goal of the game, Sweeney scored on another 8-meter attempt, then fed a cutting Fallon for a goal to cap Sacred Heart’s scoring.

“We definitely had a good start, the girls were coming up with draw controls,” Goldmann noted. “Lily Sullivan came up big in that first half, coming off the bench to take the draws. She was placing them really well and the girls were executing. In transition, we were going into our slow break, we were executing on attack.”

“We did get a little ahead of ourselves when they went to a zone,” Goldmann continued. “They were doing really well making us play with a lot of pressure. But our attack handled it and we got out of it and found the openings.”

Senior captain Maddy Hartnett, senior Morgan Sfreddo, sophomore Addie Callaway and junior Casey Smith were among some of the defenders that sparked the Tigers throughout this intense matchup.

“On defense, I’m confident every single player can shut down any one of the other team’s drivers, so I think we’re all working really well together, which is good to see,” Fallon said.

“Our defense was really good and our backer was really strong and we blocked them off a lot,” Sweeney said. “We kept up our momentum and we’ve been on a winning streak, which we hope to continue.”

Said Bacigalupo: “We came into the game thinking it was going to be a really close one, so I’m happy with how we played. We have some good games coming up and a lot to work on.”

Sacred Heart travels to Westminster School on April 9 for a 3:30 p.m. game, then visits Chatham High School on April 12 for an 11 a.m. matchup.

“This season, every game we have we never really have any let up, no game is an easy game, so it’s great to have these tight ones against strong opponents,” Fallon said.