Printer Friendly Version - Guilford Loses to Hand in SCC Girls’ Lacrosse Title Game

Emma Jewett scored a goal when Guilford girls’ lacrosse took an 18-6 loss to Hand in the SCC Tournament final on May 28 at West Haven. It was the first time the Indians played in the conference’s title contest since 2012.

Despite the final score on the SCC’s biggest stage, the Guilford girls’ lacrosse squad showed how it’s steadily progressed in its league this campaign simply by even reaching the championship tilt.

Following consecutive SCC Tournament semifinal exits the past two years, the Indians made significant moves this spring to earn a regular season mark of 12-4 and the No. 2 seed in the conference, along with reaching their first tourney final since 2012. Battling top-ranked Hand for the crown on May 28 at West Haven, Guilford dropped an 18-6 contest. The Indians took an early one-goal lead before the Tigers responded with eight-straight scores and never looked back on their way to the victory.

“The girls still feel very accomplished with their SCC season, even with a loss to Hand and some of the out-of-league teams,” said Head Coach Steve Jewett, whose team’s lone SCC regular season defeat came to Hand, 11-9, on April 23. “They feel like they’ve grown quite a bit and that this season has been more valuable versus the last couple, along with the fact that they dominated some of the other teams in the league.”

Edy Moritz finished with four goals on the night for Guilford while Nicole Raccuia and Emma Jewett each added one apiece. Hand outshot the Indians 31-10 and goalie Brooke Distante made 13 saves.

“We were confident going in, but not overly confident, and that first goal was definitely helpful,” said Jewett, whose squad scored six times in 12 offensive possessions on the night. “Some of the players in warm-ups were jittery due to wondering what Hand was going to do, so that first goal certainly helped.”

Moritz gave the Indians (13-5) a quick 1-0 edge before Lauren Cole netted the equalizer for Hand (17-1). Cole’s tally opened up the offense for the Tigers as she scored again prior to Amanda Gentile making it 3-1 with 18:30 to play in the opening half. From there, Cameron Ruberti (at the 15:30 mark), Erin Mammele, Glenna-Kate Gies, Cole again (at the 9:21 juncture), and then Ruberti (8:29 left in the opening half) completed the Tigers’ 8-0 run.

Moritz found the back of the net for the second occasion to make it 8-2, but then Cole collected two more goals, plus Ruberti (at 2:49) and Gentile added to the Tigers’ command, which grew to 12-2 at halftime.

“The first score came on a perfect draw, but at the same time versus a team like Hand, it involves much more to the game. You have to take it one play at a time and make calculated movements,” Jewett said. “Some errors cost us goals early on. We had some momentum with that 1-0 lead, but that’s never enough versus a team like Hand.”

Later on in the second half, Cole and Mammele each put one past the Guilford defense again to make it 17-5 as 8:30 remained in the contest.

“They had 19 errors [turnovers] in that first game against us that we capitalized on and, when you have momentum and are getting the ball back, it gives you extra energy because you are doing something right,” said Jewett. “But when the other team isn’t making those errors, it’s really hard to adjust and take advantage. I feel like Hand played the perfect game here.”

This championship meeting may not be the last time the two programs clash in the 2015 postseason as No. 7 seed Guilford could potentially see No. 2 Hand in a Class M State Tournament quarterfinal. The Indians know they can give the Tigers a much-better showing if given another chance by learning from they mistakes they made in this game while also maintaining an optimistic attitude.

“We had a good practice [the day after the SCC final]. Everyone was positive and we discussed what went right and wrong from the night before,” said Jewett, whose club hosts the winner of Barlow and Law in the first round at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1. “We don’t want to look past anyone in states, yet we will be watching film from this one and making plans. We are looking to have a different game against Hand potentially as we weren’t satisfied with this one. The confidence is strong and the outlook is positive for states.”

Previously in the SCC Tournament semifinals, Guilford defeated No. 3 seed Lauralton Hall 14-8 on May 26.

Emma Jewett and Katrina Niedziela each netted three goals for the Indians in their semifinal triumph.

Also in the semis, Guilford outshot the Crusaders 23-18 with Brooke Distante making 10 saves.