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06/06/2021 12:00 AMAfter convincingly winning its second-straight SCC title, the Guilford girls’ lacrosse squad picked up where it left off when the team opened play in the Class M State Tournament last week. The Grizzlies won their first two games in the tournament to advance into the semifinal round.
Guilford earned a 20-1 first-round victory over Stratford and then posted a 15-6 win over Masuk in quarterfinal action to reach the Class M semis. The Grizzlies are facing St. Joseph in the semifinals this week with hopes of making the state final on Saturday, June 12.
Guilford improved its overall record to 17-2 on the year with its two state tourney victories. Head Coach Wendy Epke couldn’t be happier with how her team is performing.
“So far, the team has played well in our two playoff games,” said Epke. “The offense is scoring goals, midfielders are controlling the ball, and our goalie is making saves. Our defense is also doing a good job of communicating and getting stops. It’s great to see the girls competing out on the field.”
In the first round, No. 3 seed Guilford hosted No. 14 Stratford on June 1 and routed the Red Devils by the final score of 20-1. Senior captain Hannah Tillier scored seven goals and had one assist in the win. Juniors Maddie Epke and Taylor Farace netted three goals apiece, while freshman Payton Root, senior captain Sydney Cunningham, and sophomore MJ Santa Barbara each scored two goals. Senior Izzy Gurnham added one goal for the Grizzlies, who received four saves in net from junior goalie Sydney Widlitz.
Then on June 4, Guilford hosted No. 6 seed Masuk for a Class M quarterfinal matchup and notched a 15-6 victory. Cunningham scored five goals in the win, and Tillier had three goals for Guilford. Root and junior Lorelei King both scored two goals, while Epke and Santa Barbara added one goal apiece. Widlitz made six saves in net.
As her team moves forward in states, Coach Epke praised the way that Guilford’s senior captains have gone about leading the team this season. The Grizzlies’ senior captains are Tillier, Cunningham, and Jordan Filley.
“Our captains are doing an awesome job of helping keep the girls motivated, even though the end of the year has so many distractions in school,” Epke said. “There’s a ton of senior events and final class projects, concerts, and AP exams, but they are setting a great example on and off the field, and the rest of the players are following their lead.”
As the senior captains set the tone, Coach Epke said that Guilford is benefiting from some excellent play from its sophomores in recent weeks. Epke was happy to see Santa Barbara get on the board in each of last week’s victories.
“I feel like our sophomore class of players are really stepping up and playing with so much more confidence and maturity as the season has gone on,” said Epke. “MJ has increased her role on the offensive side of the field for us. She is finding the back of the next and making excellent passes and producing in our offensive structure.”
Coach Epke also credited sophomores Ella Clarke, Kat Baseggio, and Scout Climie for their efforts on the field. Their contributions haven’t necessarily been seen in the scorebook, but Epke said that they are still making a significant impact in the club’s playoff run.
“Ella Clarke is stepping up on both sides of the field. She has been playing great defense and coming up with the ball. In addition, we play her in an offensive role, and she is producing there, as well,” Epke said. “Kat Baseggio is on defense communicating, helping to anchor our defensive unit and coming up with multiple defensive interceptions and blocks a game. Scout Climie is one of the first players to come off the bench. She is a utility player for us this season and gives her all in any role we put her in.”
Guilford hosted No. 10 seed St. Joseph in the Class M semifinals on June 8 (after press time). If the Grizzlies won, they will face the winner of No. 1 seed East Lyme and No. 4 Barlow in the final at Bunnell High School in Stratford on Saturday, June 12.
Coach Epke knows that Guilford has some formidable opponents standing in the way of its state championship aspirations, but she feels confident that the Grizzlies have what it takes to bring home the gold.
“I expect the girls to step out on the field and compete,” said Epke. “[St. Joseph is] an FCIAC school that plays a tough schedule of games in the regular season to prepare for the postseason. But we need to be ready. If we all continue to play hard and as a team, the results will take care of themselves.”