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11/20/2016 11:00 PMThe Guilford field hockey team returned to its first Class M state final in four years on the back of a strong offense, staunch defense, and its ability to win the close games, especially in the tournament. Although the Indians didn’t come away with a championship, they certainly came away from the season having earned respect among other teams in the state for going on a great run.
The 4th-seeded Indians had defeated Farmington, Hand, and Lauralton Hall in one-goal games to reach the final against No. 7 New Canaan at Wethersfield High School on Nov. 19. The Rams jumped out to an early command before the Indians score a goal before halftime, but it wasn’t enough as Guilford took a 3-1 defeat in the Class M State Tournament final.
“I think we were flat to start. They were nervous and couldn’t seem to get going until it was 3-0,” said Head Coach Kitty Palmer, whose club outscored its opponents 71-22 this season. “I think we had the better of play the rest of the way and we had several corners in the second half. We had many opportunities to score, but we just couldn’t convert. New Canaan and their defense was good at stopping our corners. It’s just too bad that we were on our heels the first 20 minutes because that’s not how we play.”
Senior Cami Makula made four saves in net for Guilford, which finished the year with an overall record of 17-4-0-1. The Rams, who won the Class M title for the second-straight year, concluded their campaign at 15-5-1. Coach Palmer said the state final was a microcosm of how her team played throughout the season because the Indians never gave in until the final horn.
“Aside from the 20 minutes of scattered play in the final, our defense was our strength in states. But everyone on the team has to contribute to get this far and they did,” said Palmer. “The girls gave it everything they had. I’m proud and pleased. They tried to the end here and that’s what they’ve done all year. Today was just one of those games where we couldn’t get it in the net.”
The Indians started the contest with a good scoring opportunity on a corner, although they were unable to convert. The Rams grabbed an early advantage by scoring two quick goals and led 2-0 with 18:06 to play in the opening half. Ellery Baran added her second score of the afternoon to make it a three-goal game with 8:05 to play before halftime.
Junior forward Olivia Clarke (who was named First Team All-State with senior midfielder Julia Ellman) got Guilford on the board when she scored from a feed by junior midfielder Bryce Makula on a penalty corner as time expired in the first half. The goal seemed to ignite the Indians’ fire as they took a dozen penalty corners in the second half, but New Canaan’s defense held firm and prevented any chance of a comeback on its way to the title. For Guilford, the loss marked the end of the team’s sizzling stretch to the state final that really took off at the campaign’s midway point.
“They definitely peaked at the right time. At the halfway point, after our first loss of the year in the game against Lauralton Hall, we started to play well,” Palmer said. “Largely, every game they got better and better, which is why we went so far.”
The Indians’ seniors were freshmen when the team last played for a state title in 2012. This season, they joined forces with a group of underclass athletes who showed poise beyond their years to finish their Indians’ field hockey careers on the biggest stage.
“A lot of these girls hadn’t played together before the start of the season this year. We had a mix of sophomores and junior alongside the seniors, but they all really matured and matured more than I expected,” said Coach Palmer. “It’s a lot of pressure to simply get to a state final, but they all played well at the right time.”
Three days before the final, the Indians defeated SCC rival and No. 8 seed Lauralton Hall 1-0 in the semifinals of the Class M State Tournament at Branford High School. Celia Mariconda netted the deciding goal for Guilford with 19:31 remaining in regulation.
From the Sidelines
Guilford’s Class M State Tournament roster consisted of senior captains Cami Makuka and Teddi Stanley, fellow seniors Marietta DeJulio-Burns, Julia Ellman, Mia Stebbins, Kendra Luden, Rhiannon Zergiebel, and Jess Warner; juniors Olivia Clarke, Bryce Makula, Meg Reynolds, Theresa Dell, Mallory Peters, and Maggie Marrone; sophomores Celia Mariconda, Mariah Cretella, Cassie Clayton, Maddie Costantino-Lyons, Emily Torre, Juley Reynolds, Janie Danaher, Kelsi Putnam, Ava Gladwin, and Trinity Ireland; plus freshman Ella Stanley.
This was the Indians’ eighth appearance in a state final. Guilford lost to Wilton 3-0 in the Class M final in 2012, took a 1-0 loss to Pomperaug in the 2003 Class L final, dropped 2-1 contest in overtime against Cheshire in the 2001 Class L final, and was co-champions of Class L in 1997 following a 1-1 tie with Simsbury. Guilford also took a 2-1 defeat to Greenwich in the Class L final in 1994, lost to Farmington 1-0 in the 1979 Class M title game, and lost 2-1 versus Granby Memorial in the 1973 state final.
After going 13-2-0-1 for the regular season, Guilford earned 1-0 double overtime victory versus Hand in the SCC Tournament quarterfinals and then lost 3-0 to Cheshire in the semifinals. As the No. 4 seed in the Class M State Tournament, the Indians beat No. 13 Farmington 2-1 in a first round home game, upended No. 12 Hand 4-3 at home in the quarterfinals, and edged 8th-seeded Lauralton Hall 1-0 in a semifinal game at Branford High School. The team’s final record was 17-4-0-1.