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06/27/2021 12:00 AMThe Guilford girls’ lacrosse team accomplished everything that it set out to do during its epic 2021 campaign. The Grizzlies finished the year with an overall record of 19-2, won their second-straight SCC title, and then claimed their first Class M state championship in program history this spring.
Guilford dominated the competition along the way by outscoring it opponents by the lopsided margin of 334 to 114 for the season. Head Coach Wendy Epke couldn’t have been more pleased about how everything unfolded for her team this spring.
“I’m so happy with how the season went,” said Epke. “At the beginning of the season, we created team goals. We always put to win the SCC championship and to win the state championship, along with a bunch of others, in those goals. It was amazing to be able to accomplish both those goals for the first time.”
After going 13-2 for the regular season, Guilford defended its conference title by earning a 16-3 win versus Lauralton Hall in the semifinals of the SCC Tournament and then a 13-6 victory against Hand in the final. Then in the Class M Tournament, the Grizzlies posted wins against Stratford (20-1), Masuk (15-6), and St. Joseph (14-4) to advance to the final, where they edged out Barlow by an 11-10 score to capture their first state crown.
Guilford was led by senior captains Hannah Tillier, Sydney Cunningham, and Jordan Filley throughout the season. Tillier earned All-State and All-SCC Division I First Team honors after scoring 58 goals to go with 21 assists on the year.
Junior Maddie Epke had a huge season by netting 57 goals, dishing out 72 assists, forcing 25 turnovers, and winning 208 draw controls for the Grizzlies. Epke was named to the All-SCC First Team, was selected as the SCC Player of the Year, and was also a USA Lacrosse All-American.
Also earning All-SCC and All-State First Team accolades for Guilford was junior goalie Sydney Widlitz, who made 110 saves in net, had a 50.5 save percentage, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the SCC Tournament. Junior Taylor Farace, sophomore Kat Baseggio, and freshman Payton Root received All-SCC and All-State First Team honors, as well. Junior Lorelei King was an All-SCC Second Team honoree on behalf of Coach Epke’s club.
“I’ve told the kids two things over the course of the season that holds true every year. The first is everyone on the roster brings a value to our program. It doesn’t matter if you are an All-American or the last player to enter the game off the bench. Everyone’s attitude and effort is essential to create a team culture that is supportive and valued,” Epke said. “The second is all of our success is built on the shoulders of the players that have been there before them. So, the alumni are crucial in a program’s success. We all learn and grow and continue to develop from the team that was sitting in their place before them. It’s important to thank them.”
Guilford’s senior class also featured Ella Kagan, Natalie Hudak, Kathryn Amatruda, Izzy Gurnham, Katelyn Russell, Lauren Skoglund, and Emma Appleman. The rest of the roster included juniors Paige Crowley, Olivia McDonald, and Caroline Kane; sophomores Ella Clarke, Scout Climie, and MJ Santa Barbara; and freshman Maya Stoddard.
Santa Barbara scored the winning goal for the Grizzlies with just 1:06 remaining in the game when they defeated Barlow in the Class M final. It was a fitting way to finish a season that was two years in the making, following the cancellation of the 2020 campaign.
“We learned as a team to cherish the privilege we have to be a team and getting the opportunity to play our sport,” Coach Epke said. “I think for everyone, you take for granted the opportunity we have until it was taken away last year. I feel sad for the 2019 seniors that didn’t get the opportunities we had this season.”
On top of all of her athletes’ achievements, Coach Epke was selected as the SCC Division I Coach of the Year and the Class M Coach of the Year. Epke said that she never could have received these awards without a tremendous amount of dedication from her players.
“I always have many things to improve on each year. Just like the girls on the field, I’m constantly learning, too. I want to be able to be the best I can for the girls, so at the end of a season, I can look back and feel like I gave it everything I possibly could to help and support them,” said Epke. “I did get SCC Coach of the Year and Class M Coach of the Year, but I think those awards are really a reflection of the success of the team and our season.”
Guilford will be looking to continue its run of success with another big season in 2022. For now, though, Coach Epke and company are going to cherish what they’ve achieved throughout the past few months.
“My expectations going into next year is that we will train and compete every day of the season. I think we have a strong core of players returning, and I’m excited for our future,” Epke said. “It is hard to think that far ahead. I think the excitement of winning our first state championship hasn’t worn off yet.”