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04/18/2016 12:00 AMThe Guilford girls’ lacrosse team got a taste of postseason success year ago and this spring the Indians bring back a deep, hungry, and seasoned bunch that’s ready to reach even greater heights in 2016.
Steve Jewett returns for his third campaign as head coach after the Indians posted a 12-4 regular season mark en route to their first SCC Tournament final since 2012 before losing to Hand, which also defeated Guilford in the quarterfinals of the Class M State Tournament. Coach Jewett said that his club features a core four of seniors who will play an integral role by demonstrating what it takes to make that next step toward the championship threshold.
“We have a strong senior class with four girls that have four years of varsity experience now with Emma Jewett, Sarah DeLucia, Alex Fitzgerald, and Amy Puchini. They are taking leadership roles in practice and setting the tone with a motivating attitude towards the younger girls,” said Coach Jewett. “In our scrimmages and games so far, we’ve really started to figure out our strengths and we are hoping to get some good wins here early in the season.”
Within that senior class, Guilford’s captains this season are Jewett, a midfielder; DeLucia, who plays both the midfield and defense; and Fitzgerald, who doubles as an attacker and midfielder. Coach Jewett said that his Indians have established a tagline that represents their mindset this season and added his leadership trio is adhering to it, while sending the message to their teammates.
“All of them are athletes in other sports, but they are each looking to play lacrosse collegiately, so they are really interested in getting better at the sport,” said Jewett. “Our team motto this year is, ‘Take the Risk,’ whether it is on the field or with encouraging others or even making friends with someone on the team. The girls live that every day in terms of their nature. All of our seniors tend to be that kind of athlete, which sends the right message out.”
Spearheading the Guilford offense will be a strong sophomore attacker in Olivia Clarke, while junior Rhiannon Zergiebel is looking to hold a pivotal role on defense. Puchini is also a defender for the Indians. Taking on one of the biggest responsibilities is junior Catherine Lawrence, who is now the team’s goalkeeper after having played attack in 2015. The Indians also have high hopes in two rookies with freshman Trinity Ireland at both attack and midfield and fellow freshman Nicolette Spotlow on the attack.
“Olivia is very good at freelancing the ball and opening things up for the other girls. Rhiannon is a second-year starter who is strong with finding the open midfielder and dishing the ball off,” Jewett said. “Catherine has a good sense of the goaltending position. She plays ice hockey and is also a soccer netminder. She’s a pure athlete. Trinity and Nicolette are new to the high school game, but they’ve already made an impact, and we look to develop them quickly.”
The Indians started the season strong by winning their opener against Haddam-Killingworth 12-10 on April 6, posting an 18-7 victory versus West Haven on April 12, and routing Hamden 19-3 on April 15. Guilford’s goal scorers in the West Haven win were Fitzgerald and Jewett with six apiece, Nicole Tepley with two, plus Spotlow, senior Brooke Misbach, sophomore Bryce Makula, and junior defender Kacia Savage with one each. Assisting on goals were DeLucia (3), sophomore attacker Hannah McDermott and Fitzgerald (both with 2), plus Spotlow, Tepley, and Jewett (each with 1). Lawrence made 14 saves as the Indians outshot the Blue Devils 31-21.
Of course, games aren’t won on paper and the Indians will face several formidable opponents, including SCC stalwarts Branford, Hand, and Cheshire, along with non-conference combatants in East Lyme and Barlow throughout the quest for what they hope will be their first SCC Tournament title.
“In the past few years, we’ve had some close games with East Lyme. Two years ago, we lost in overtime and we didn’t play well against them after halftime last season. We look to have a rivalry with them in terms of getting some payback. Joel Barlow also won in the final seconds against us last time, so that looks to be important for the season, along with the SCC teams like Amity, Branford, Cheshire, and Hand,” said Coach Jewett. “One of our goals is to end up at or near the top of the conference. We have a strong senior class with girls hungry to beat the teams like Branford, Cheshire, and Hand. From there, we look to be in good positioning for both postseason tournaments.”
From the Sidelines
Assisting Head Coach Steve Jewett on the Guilford girls’ lacrosse team are varsity assistant/JV coach Jess Joline, plus freshman coach Kelly Jensen.
Rounding out the senior class for Guilford this year is Rosie Riccio on defense.
Last season, Guilford defeated Lauralton Hall 14-8 in the SCC Tournament semifinals before taking an 18-6 loss to Hand in the final. For states in the Class M bracket, Guilford defeated Berlin 18-6 in the first round and lost 10-5 to Hand in the following round.