The Greenwich Cardinals won’t have to wait long this upcoming season to have an idea what their chances are of repeating as FCIAC champions.
Last year, of course, Greenwich enjoyed an unlikely run to the title. Following an 8-7 regular season, the Cardinals beat Ridgefield, Darien and New Canaan (in that order) to take the crown. The Darien win (an 8-7 semifinal-round victory) was especially surprising since Greenwich ended the regular season by losing to the Blue Wave 9-2.
The teams will be meeting again right off the bat, with Greenwich hosting Darien on Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m. Mark your calendars now, gang.
That early season showdown is currently among the leaders in our latest poll question which asks what game being played on or before April 9 you’re most looking forward to watching. If you haven’t already, be sure to weigh in with your vote. (On the right panel of this page, just scroll past the “New Comments” and “Popular” tabs and click on “Poll,” and then cast your vote from the choices available, or write in your choice if it’s not listed.)
Adam Sands, a senior defenseman bound for Lehigh, is anxious to officially get the quest to defend the FCIAC title under way for Greenwich.
Here are his thoughts on the upcoming season.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
With Coach (Scott) Bulkley, our preseason has been pretty busy. In the fall, we went to a few different tournaments and in the winter we have been playing indoors at Sono Field House a few days a week.
How does your schedule look, including scrimmages, and what games are you looking forward to?
With a new head coach usually comes a new schedule. Greenwich is now doing something it never has done before and that is playing teams from out of state. This gives us the opportunity to show the lacrosse community what we are capable of. This year we have a few big out of conference games. The one I am most looking forward to is at Ward Melville, on Long Island. We also have some great competition in-state. Darien always produces a top lacrosse team, so that game will be pretty intense.
What players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
This year our team is blessed to have such a strong senior class. Along with a strong senior class we have a pretty deep bench. There are a bunch of younger players that will have a chance to earn a spot or make a name for themselves. I don’t think at this time in the pre-season, I’d be able to single out any single player. We will just have to see who steps up this season.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
Our strengths are definitely going to be our depth and our experience. A lot of our seniors have earned multiple varsity letters. Although we have an entire new system, we all have grown into it comfortably.
What is one of your biggest in-state, non-conference tests?
Outside of the FCIAC, our biggest competitor in the state is Fairfield Prep. After losing to them twice last year, we are pretty excited to see them again.
Greenwich 2011 tentative schedule
4-6 at Westhill
4-9 DARIEN
4-12 at New Canaan
4-16 vs Chatham (N.J.)
4-19 at Wilton
4-21 at Ward Melville
4-23 STAPLES-WESTPORT
4-26 at Danbury
4-28 at Lakeland/Panas
5-3 RIDGEFIELD
5-5 FAIRFIELD PREP
5-7 at Billerica Memorial (Mass.)
5-10 at Stamford
5-12 ST JOSEPH-TRUMBULL
5-14 at Rye HS
5-18 TRUMBULL
* For schedules for teams from throughout the region, be sure to check out the “Schedules galore” thread, and scroll down to the comments portion for the most recently released schedules.
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Posted In: Fairfield lacrosse, fciac, Player's perspective
Should be another fun year in the FCIAC for sure.
Good job brotha. Have a great season.
Great to see the Cardinals start playing Section 1 teams, Lakeland Panas and their neighbor, Rye. Should be two really good games.
Well done Adam!
Let’s make it two in a row.
GO CARDS!!!!