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Athletes and spectators rallied on the Convent of the Sacred Heart campus October 21, while the school hosted two volleyball games, two soccer games, and a Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) cross country meet. The recent completion of the new athletic facilities and a warm October temperature of 73 degrees energized all athletes for a successful afternoon.
During the first game of the afternoon, the junior varsity soccer team challenged cross-town rival, Greenwich Academy (GA). In a noteworthy competition, GA edged out Sacred Heart with a score of 3-0. The Tigers’ loss leaves them with a record of 1-7-0 as they take on the King and Low-Heywood Thomas School next week.
In a high-adrenaline matchup, the FAA championship varsity soccer team fell short to the Hopkins School 3-1. Hopkins scored two goals in the first half, leaving a score of 2-0 at half-time. After another goal for the Vikings, the Hopkins goalie received a penalty which allowed the Tigers a free kick from the 18 yard line. While representing the team on the Sister Joan Magnetti turf field, the senior and varsity soccer co-captain Tracey Hagan scored the Tigers’ one goal.
“The varsity soccer game was evenly matched,” Tracey said. “We had some defensive lapses with a lot of injuries on the team which made it difficult to win. That game was frustrating, but in scoring that goal, it motivated the team.”
Starting at 3:30 pm, the junior varsity volleyball team faced the Westover School in the Veronique DuBois gymnasium. The Tigers went head-to-head with the Wolverines and scored 25-18, 25-18, and 25-17. Key players junior Jodanna Domond and sophomore Morgan Hennessy helped to secure the 3-0 win against the team from Middlebury, Connecticut.
The varsity volleyball team also challenged the Westover School. Through scoring 25-6, 25-9, 13-25, and 25-11 in their sets, the Tigers won 3-1 against the Wolverines. Sophomore Ellie McKenney tallied 20 service points and was integral to the team’s victory. Senior and varsity volleyball co-captain Brooke Wilkens also posted 13 service points according to greenwichtime.com.
“I think we came out playing really strong. Even when we let up the third set to Westover, I think we came back dominant in the fourth set and kept our spirits high overall throughout the match,” Brooke said.
The varsity cross country team welcomed competitors from the Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Greens Farms Academy, Hopkins School, and Masters School to participate in the FAA cross country meet. Junior Mackenzie Jordan finished in first place with a time of 20:29 winning the girls competition for Sacred Heart. Following her, freshman Mary-Ann Gallagher finished seventh with a time of 22:33 and sophomore Lily Holl finished fifteenth with a time of 23:50.
After participating in the competition, the cross country team celebrated Senior Day. The runners recognized seniors Grace Campbell, Lizzie Considine, Kelly Heinzerling, and Katie Nail for their dedication to the sport and their team.
Director of Athletics Ms. Kelly Stone, enjoyed welcoming so many competitors to Sacred Heart’s athletic facilities.
“It was awesome, organized chaos. There were probably 400 athletes on our campus, using two gyms, all of the turf fields and the grass fields. During the FAA cross country meet, there were also six teams running around campus with all of their spectators,” Ms. Stone said. “For the athletic program, it doesn’t get better than that.”
– Kristen Davis, Sports and Health Editor and Arielle Kirven, Co-Arts and Entertainment Editor