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05/07/2017 12:00 AMSometimes it takes a team a few games and even a few weeks to settle in and feel comfortable on the field, especially when there’s a first-year head coach in the mix. The Guilford girls’ lacrosse squad has shown that it’s ready to leave behind that adjustment period as the Indians entered May as one of the hottest teams in the Southern Connecticut Conference.
Guilford welcomed a new coach in Wendy Epke this spring following a 2016 campaign that saw the Indians go 9-9 and lose in the first round of the Class M State Tournament. The Indians struggled out of the gate with a 1-4 start this year, but overcame the injury bug and saw several key players return on their way to rattling five straight victories to close out April. The Indians took an 18-13 defeat to East Lyme on May 6, although they’re still in a good spot with a record of 6-5—just one win shy of the postseason.
“Over [April vacation], we had some kids that went away, plus we also had some injuries. Yet now, we have almost everyone back,” Coach Epke said. “Now, we are able to utilize our whole roster and really play as a unit. We’ve also been able to experiment with different goalkeepers in net and have success there, as well.”
Guilford has three defensive anchors leading the way as its captains with defender/midfielder Alexa Petritz, plus seniors Rhiannon Zergiebel and Julia Watrous, who both play defense. Coach Epke explained all three of these athletes know how to kick-start the Indians’ offensive attack, while maintaining the perfect balance of levity and intensity on the sidelines.
“Alexa is extremely fast and has great footwork. She’s a great in-and-out defender. She organizes the kids and sets good examples in practice. She never slacks off. The girls selected her as captain and they picked a good leader,” said Epke. “Rhiannon has been a varsity defender for a few seasons. She’s an anchor back there for us. She does a great job with getting the outlet pass from the goalie. She is always encouraging and gives 100-percent effort, and she’s always lighthearted with a joke to lighten the mood when it’s needed. Julia always sees the positive in things we do. Every time out and every point in the game, she finds something positive for us to rally around, which is something important to have in a senior leader.”
The Indians also feature 2016 All-SCC Second Team selection Olivia Clarke, a junior attacker/midfielder who’s a key part of the offense and does a great job taking face-offs. Sophomore sensation Nicolette Spotlow is another pivotal player on the attack as Guilford’s leading scorer, while freshman Molly McLaughlin is sharing goalkeeping duties with sophomore Megan Johnson. McLaughlin notched 11 and 12 saves, respectively, in Guilford’s recent wins over McMahon and Simsbury.
“Olivia is a leader on the field and controls the ball for us. She is a set midfielder who also takes draws for us. She sets up the offense and is a role model for the midfielders and attackers,” said Coach Epke. “Nicolette can pick the corners well. She has really strong stick skills and can catch and move in a crowd of kids. Molly has been a great goalkeeper and has been a strong attribute to our team.”
The Indians will truly be tested in the waning weeks of the season, but Coach Epke and company have a solid game-plan in place to prepare for whatever formidable foe they are facing on any given day.
“Our games against teams like East Lyme, Hand, and Cheshire are challenges as they are powerhouses is the state and SCC,” said Epke. “We just have to go and do our best, play our game, be conditioned, and focus on our strengths, and then we can hopefully go on a run.”
From the Sidelines
Jess Joline and Jillian Colonese-Schaper are Guilford’s assistant coaches this year.
The Indians outscored their opponents 58-34 in their recent five-game winning streak. They also averaged 11.6 goals per game and allowed just 6.8 per contest in that stretch.
Guilford’s six victories have come against Sheehan (14-9), Law (16-5), McMahon (11-10 and 12-5), Amity (9-6), and Simsbury (10-8).