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Greenwich hockey coach Kevin Turbert thought his team might gain some momentum late in the first period when Meghan Spezzano's score gave the Cardinals a 1-1 tie.
Wilton's Lara Schnitzler then went to work on the young Cardinals. She kept shooting, and she kept finding the net. Schnitzler scored six goals, including three in a span of 1:28 in the second period, to lead the Warriors (2-0) to a 7-2 victory over Greenwich (0-2).
"She was the dominant player today,'' Turbert said. "She has really developed her game, and their coach, Kerry Leonard, has done a good job with that team. She has put a nice program together."
The victory was Wilton's first over Greenwich. This is only the third year of varsity competition for the Warriors.
Hannah Jeffrey also scored for Greenwich, while goalkeeper Dart Freccia made 26 saves. "Our kids battled, but we're green,'' Turbert said. "It's a learning experience. We have to drill in the kids what they can and can't do. There will be some growing pains, but we'll be a better team because of it."
Schnitzler, a powerful senior forward, put Wilton ahead to stay with a wraparound goal 1:25 into the second period to put the Warriors ahead for good. She scored again with 10:20 left in the second period and again 70 seconds later. Her goal with 7:52 left made it 5-1. Schnitzler added two more in the third period.
"They had that one big spurt in there, and I probably should've called time out earlier to slow them down,'' Turbert said. "We just have to keep coaching them up. We have to be patient and taking it one game at a time."
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