Since the postseason is rapidly approaching, the members of Greenwich Academy’s Varsity A lacrosse team know now is the time for them to be at their best and compete at their optimum level.

Greenwich Academy certainly did so against The Taft School on April 29th, producing a sensational performance on its way to a key, late-season home victory.

Junior attack/midfielder Delaney Enright and senior attack Perry Casazza scored four goals apiece to propel host Greenwich Academy, past visiting Taft, 14-7, at Tammaro Field. The Gators, who sport a 7-1 record, host Loomis Chaffee School today (May 2) at 2 p.m., before hosting Rye Country Day School on Tuesday (May 5th). They will conclude their regular season on May 9th on the road versus Hotchkiss School. GA will then compete in the FAA Tournament, which begins on May 12th.

Against Taft, Greenwich Academy’s Varsity A team held a 3-2 lead after the first quarter, then entered halftime with an 8-5 advantage. The Gators took an 11-6 lead into the fourth quarter against Taft (6-4).

Sophomore attack/midfielder Maddie Lane registered two goals and attack Taylor Bruce also tallied twice for GA, which excelled on both end of the field against NEPSAC foe Taft. GA’s one loss this season came against neighborhood rival Sacred Heart Greenwich last week, so the Gators were eager to get back in action and get back on the winning track when Taft came to town.

“I think we played so well together, we came off a tough loss to Sacred Heart last week and we really came together as an offense,” Enright said, following GA’s win over Taft. “The cuts were there, we were feeding well and just working well together all over the field.”

GA’s matchup with Taft featured a one-goal duel throughout most of the opening half, before the home team built a three-goal advantage in the final minutes. Once the second half commenced, the Gators imposed their will and added on to their lead.

Casazza opened the second half scoring, shooting low and tallying, giving GA a 9-5 lead with 9:57 remaining in the third quarter. Eluding a pair of Taft defenders, Lane charged to the goal and scored, making it 10-5 in favor of the hosts at the 7:44 mark of the third quarter.

After Taft senior Sofia Smith tallied with 4:08 to go in the third period, Greenwich Academy scored the last goal of the quarter to enter the final quarter with a five-goal edge.

“We’re such a young team, but it’s awesome to watch everyone stepping up and everyone is playing really confidently,” Casazza said. “We had multiple girls have multiple goal games and that’s pretty unique to see, especially at the high school level. So it was awesome and everyone stepped up, which was great.”

After Taft junior Scout Milner recorded a goal 48 seconds into the fourth quarter, GA shut out the visitors, while capping the game with three consecutive goals.

Lane scored the first of GA’s three fourth quarter goals, tallying at the 5:17 mark, making it 12-7. Junior Niamh Cooney, freshman Marina Vintiadis, sophomore Barrett Hausmann and junior Abby Iles were among a number of Greenwich Academy athletes that paced the squad’s strong defensive play.

Sophomore goalie Lauren Connell made four saves in the winning effort. Connell has been a consistent presence in goal for the Gators.

Senior midfielder captain Maggie Whidden and sophomore midfielder/attack Cordelia Blanc posted one goal apiece, while Casazza added two assist to go along with her four goals for the victors.

For the game, GA had 12 draw controls, while Taft had 11. The Gators were 4-1 on draw controls in the first quarter.

“We won a bunch of draws, which was good and I think our attack worked really well together,” said Greenwich Academy senior midfielder/attack Ellie Watts, who contributed to the team’s stellar performance. “We also got a bunch of turnovers on defense, which helped, even when we didn’t win the draw. We did a good job of riding and working together as a team.”

Indeed, the Gators should face stiff competition from here on out, starting with today’s home game versus Loomis Chaffee School.

“The road ahead is going to be a good challenge for our team,” GA second-season coach Tee Ladouceur said. “The keys are just putting everything that we learned together throughout the course of the year through these next couple of games and hopefully, we’ll crank out a couple of more wins.”

With a record of 6-0 in the Fairchester Athletic Association, Greenwich Academy is in first place in the FAA, which would give them the No. 1 seed in the FAA Tournament, should it hold its position. Rye Country Day School is 5-0 in the FAA, so Tuesday’s home matchup versus RCDS is for the top seed in the FAA Tournament.

The Gators have captured the FAA Tournament title the past two seasons (2024, 2025) and are intent on playing their best heading into the playoffs.

“I feel like we’re playing really well, we’re undefeated in the FAA, which is great,” Enright noted. “I feel like we played great today (against Taft) and I’m pretty confident we’re going to do great. I’m excited, we won last year and I feel like we’re going to come back and win it again. I have full confidence in our team.”

Overall, GA was pleased with its overall play against Taft and is looking forward to seeing what lies ahead.

“We’ve been working on trying to come out hotter each game and I think that it’s still something we can work on,” Casazza noted. “But they’re (Taft) a good team and they pushed us and challenged us. Lauren Connell a sophomore goalie, she’s great making crazy saves, it’s awesome.”

“We did a good job of riding and working together as a team,” Watts said. “At practices, we’ve been coming together and working really well. In games, it’s been apparent.”