Winners of four consecutive games, Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A lacrosse team is certainly peaking at the right time of the season.

The Tigers have a game against rival Greenwich Academy on Wednesday (April 22nd), then will travel to Towson University in Maryland to play formidable foes such as Good Counsel and Notre Dame Academy Friday and Saturday, so with the way they are currently competing, they should be primed for the challenges ahead.

Sacred Heart was in fine form once again on Senior Day at Sheehan Field on Saturday (April 18) against visiting Ridgewood High School, the No. 1-ranked team in New Jersey. Receiving three goals apiece from sophomore attack Peyla Carcaterra and junior midfielder Haley Washall, Sacred Heart celebrated Senior Day in perfect style, earning a highly impressive 12-6 win over Ridgewood.

“That was a great team, they’re the No. 1 team in New Jersey,” Sacred Heart Greenwich coach Jackie Goldmann said. “We were fired up from the start. We came in celebrating our seniors. They came in focused, we worked hard all week, they executed our game plan.”

Freshman attack Micayla DeVeau and senior midfielder Georgia Lillis each scored two goals, while junior midfielder Maggie Sweeney and midfielder Finley Baras, an eighth grader added single goals for the Tigers (5-3).

Sacred Heart received strong play in goal from senior Addyson Flinchbaugh and a stellar all-around defensive effort, anchored by senior captains Mackenna Kelly and Casey Smith. Seniors Torin Witek, junior Addison Callaway and senior Scarlett Pfistner were among some of the other athletes providing solid defensive support throughout this well-played matchup for the Tigers.

“It’s a great win, we all showed up together to play for each other today and that’s the best part of our program, I think,” Witek said. “We want to play for each other and with each other. Especially on Senior Day, it means so much to me and the other seniors – just being with each other and playing the game that we love.”

Possession was the key in this competitive matchup and the Tigers had the edge in that category. SHG won 17 of the game’s 21 draws, resulting in numerous more possessions than Ridgefield. Freshman Lily Sullivan paced Sacred Heart in the draw control department against visiting Ridgefield.

“Our draw team absolutely crushed it, winning 17 of 21 draws,” Goldmann said. “That definitely helps, our defense shut them down, they have some very good players.”

With the score 6-4 in favor of Sacred Heart, Carcaterra scored, extending the hosts’ lead to three goals with 6:48 remaining in the third quarter. Washall then tallied off a pass from Baras, making it 8-4 in favor of the Tigers at the 5:13 mark of the third period.

Carcaterra’s goal off a dodge put SHG on top, 9-4, with 3:56 to go in the third quarter. The Tigers took a 9-5 lead on Ridgefield into the fourth quarter. The visitors were held to one goal in the final quarter.

“On defense, just understanding our matchups, scouting ahead of time and working hard in practice, but also communication, were the keys,” Kelly said. “Our defense struggled in the beginning of the season, but we’ve grown into our positions and we played as a unit today.”

“The defense played amazing today, a lot of turnovers, caused turnovers, ground balls and our goalies played fabulous,” Witek noted. That’s really what makes our team special, we play for each other and it was just a great day.”

In the fourth quarter, DeVeau registered a goal, Washall added another goal off a Carcaterra assist and Lillis tallied off an assist from Baras.

“We did a really good job of moving the ball, working together and we had so many components on offense,” Lillis said. “We moved the ball really well and that led to our win.”

Indeed, Sacred Heart, which recently defeated Episcopal Academy, one of the top-ranked teams in the nation, 9-7, at Rutgers University, is playing with confidence and conviction on both ends of the field.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Smith said of the Senior Day win. “The whole team worked hard this week prepping for this game and today we played not just for the seniors, but for everyone. It was a whole team effort, which I’m really proud of. The underclassmen have really grown into their spots here.”

Led by Flinchbaugh, the Tigers’ goalies recorded nine saves.

“My defense played great, they led me have those shots that they took were easy to track,” Flinchbaugh said. “I couldn’t have done it without my defense. We worked as a unit and that’s just what it’s all about. I think the beginning of the season we came out a little slow and we definitely have a fire under us right now, we want it so bad. GA is next and we’re not going to stop.”

The Sacred Heart-Greenwich Academy rivalry game is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

“The team has done so well recently, we’re on a winning streak,” Lillis noted. “I think we have to keep pushing forward towards GA, towards the next couple of weekends and we have a lot of big games coming up, so I’m excited.”

“As a team effort, it’s one of those games that’s so fun,” Goldmann said of the Ridgewood win. “We’re proud of them, they played great, from the attack, to the middies, to the defense – great goalie play. But our season is not done, we have a lot of tough games coming up still. Overall, exciting win, but on to the next.”

Said Kelly: “We’ve been on the up so far, since our Episcopal game. It’s been high energy on and off the field for the past two weeks and coming to GA, it’s a big rivalry game, so we’re all super excited.”

Here’s more pictures from Sacred Heart’s win over Ridgewood.