Sacred Heart Greenwich’s varsity soccer team has followed an impressive pattern in each of its games so far this season, one that the opposition hasn’t had an answer for.

The Tigers have scored an early goal in most of their games, then once the second half begins, they raise their level of play even more, resulting in highly successful results.

St. Luke’s School was the latest opponent to witness a second-half surge from Sacred Heart, which recorded three goals after halftime and coasted to a decisive 4-0 win in an FAA matchup held at Brunswick School’s artificial turf field.

With the victory, the Tigers improved their record to 4-0-1 heading into their game against neighborhood rival Greenwich Academy on Thursday (Oct. 1). For the season, SHG has outscored its foes, 18-2, with three shutouts.

“We’ve been doing that in games, starting a little slow and then picking up the momentum in the second half,” said Sacred Heart Greenwich head coach Stuart Smith, who emphasized the team’s work ethic leading up to the season.

“We did a lot of work on our fitness,” Smith continued. “When the other team tires, we tend to finish the game strong. So, we have a lot of confidence at the end of games.”

The Tigers began their 2026 season with a huge 1-0 win over NEPSAC perennial powerhouse Choate Rosemary Hall, then dueled Taft School, also a strong opponent, to a 1-1 draw. A game against new FAA crosstown rival Greenwich Country Day School followed and Sacred Heart was victorious, 7-1. Sacred Heart then upended FAA foe Masters School, 7-0, before topping St. Luke’s, 4-0, on Sept, 29. The triumph also upped Sacred Heart’s FAA mark to 3-0.

In the Tigers’ victory against St. Luke’s at Brunswick School – Sacred Heart’s home grass field was still a bit wet due to the rainy weather that blanketed the area this past weekend – sophomore Bianca Bakker, sophomore Carrie Bakker, senior Katherine Petrillo and freshman Riley Driscoll registered one goal apiece for the victors.

Sacred Heart entered halftime with a 1-0 lead, before seizing control of possession and the game, in the second half. The Tigers are captained by senior center defensive midfielder Lucia Coviello, who has helped spearhead the team’s excellent defensive efforts over their first five matchups of the season.

“Honestly, I’m really honored to lead this team,” Coviello said. “This is my fourth year and Sacred Heart soccer has meant a lot to me. I’m honored that my teammates trust me for this role. I’m really excited to lead this team.”

Despite having numerous first-season varsity players and several athletes having expanded roles from one season ago, SHG has especially excelled so far this fall, as Coviello noted.

“Last year, we graduated a lot of players who played by my side as midfielders,” Coviello said. “But the underclassmen and some new players have stepped in and it’s changed our game entirely. We’re much more technical and comfortable on the ball and it’s changed our entire style of play. It’s really nice to have that support. People are hungry for the ball, willing to play if forward and take risks on the field.”

The sister combination of Carrie and Bianca Bakker gave Sacred Heart a 1-0 lead on St. Luke’s 6:38 into the first half. Carrie Bakker sent a cross into the box and Bianca finished with a strong shot in front, making it 1-0 in favor of the Tigers.

The Tigers had possession the majority of the opening half, though the Storm did have their moments, earning two shots on goal. Sacred Heart senior goalie Claire McMonagle tallied two saves in the first half and finished with another shutout win. The shutout was the second straight for SHG, which has yielded only two goals in five games.

“I’m really excited about how we’re playing,” said Petrillo, who besides being a center back and sparking the squad defensively, also adds an offense threat to the Tigers, especially on set pieces.

“We’ve gotten a lot of shutouts, so four-zero is really awesome,” Petrillo continued. “I think our defense is like a brick wall. It’s super awesome playing with these girls, I think this is the closest year we’ve been together.”

Bianca and Carrie Bakker and senior forward Bella Boone were among some of the athletes leading Sacred Heart’s offense charge in the first half against the visiting Storm. The Bakker sisters, Boone and senior Maggie Sweeney moved the ball up the field, creating chances during the first 40 minutes of action, as the hosts gained a one-goal edge.

Petrillo, sophomore Maggie Davies and junior Kate Kavanagh were among some of the players pacing Sacred Heart’s defensive effort, while Coviello, a defensive center midfielder, aided the squad in several areas, providing support defensively, while moving the ball up the field, along with sophomore Kylie Rosabella.

The Tigers increased their lead on the Storm to 2-0, capitalizing on a set piece. Davies sent her corner kick into the box and Petrillo rose up for a header, which she perfectly placed past St. Luke’s goalie inside the right post in the 57th minute.

“I just ran to the back post, Maggie was able to give me a good ball in and I got up and headed it,” Petrillo said.

“That’s a set play that we’ve worked on a lot,” Smith said of the goal off the corner kick. “She was in a good position and Maggie put in a great ball to set her up.”

With 17:02 remaining in the second half, Carrie Bakker got loose on a breakaway and tallied from close in, booting a shot to the back of the net, putting SHG on top, 3-0. In the 76th minute, freshman Riley Driscoll capped the game’s scoring, giving the Tigers a 4-0 lead.

“Great goal by Riley Driscoll,” Smith said. “It’s the first goal for her at the school.”

Boone, Coviello, Olivia Franco, McMonagle, Tessa Rigert and Sweeney are Sacred Heart’s seniors. Foley, Kavanagh, Olivia McCann, Juliet Parsons and Petrillo are juniors and the Bakker sisters, Madeline Hesse, Davies, Taylor Orellana, Lia Rooney, Kylie Rosabella and Gabi Wright are the Tigers’ sophomores.

Driscoll is the squad’s lone freshman.

“We have a lot of good club soccer players this year and really good athletes,” Petrillo noted. “There wouldn’t be anyone else I’d rather play with junior year and I think it’s one of the best years we’ll have as a team and I’m super excited.”

Following its home game against longtime rival Greenwich Academy tomorrow (Oct. 1), Sacred Heart has a string of road games coming up.

The Tigers visit Thayer Academy on Oct. 3, travel to Hopkins School on Oct. 7 and visit Kent Oct. 9th. Their next home game after tomorrow’s match versus GA is Oct. 17th versus Hotchkiss School.

“We’ve been doing so good this season, the energy – we all feel like a family,” said Davies, who is in her first season on the team. “We all work well on the field, we all communicate really well and I feel we’re going to have a good season.”

As for her first game against FAA and neighborhood rival Greenwich Academy?

“I’m so excited, I love rivalry games,” Davies said. “I feel that’s the best feeling in the world to step on the field and feel all that energy from your team, your coaches, the outside. I love the pressure, so I’m excited.”

“I’m so excited,” Coviello said of playing against Greenwich Academy. “Every season we all come in excited for this. “We’re ready for this and I’m super excited for the game.”