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05/06/2021 12:00 AMThe Guilford girls’ lacrosse team is off to one of its best starts in school history, and senior captain defender Jordan Filley has been one the biggest contributors for the Grizzlies this spring. Jordan has helped Guilford post a record of 7-1, while outscoring the opposition by a 129-51 margin, through its first eight games of the campaign.
“I feel good about the season so far. We’re on the right track for a winning record,” says Jordan. “I think that the team has an amazing dynamic and, by the way we’ve been playing together, it gives me hope that we have a good shot at becoming repeat SCC champions and winning states.”
Jordan was introduced to lacrosse in 3rd grade when her best friend and fellow senior Kate Russell suggested that she try it out. Jordan had been playing with softball and lacrosse, but ultimately decided to stick with lacrosse as her lone sport.
“My childhood best friend Kate introduced me to the sport, and it looked like fun. I picked up on it quickly like it was second nature, and I have been playing ever since,” Jordan says. “My favorite aspect of the sport is the competition every time I step on to the field with my team and the relationships I have developed since playing lacrosse. Some of these girls have become my closest friends.”
Grizzlies’ Head Coach Wendy Epke was Jordan’s first coach when the defender started playing lacrosse. In the years that have passed, Epke has seen Jordan become both a top-notch player and a solid leader.
“I love that I was Jordan’s first lacrosse coach and how much she has grown as a player now that she’s a senior starter for us. She has really quick hands and seems to always find a way to knock down and intercept passes,” Epke says. “Jordan is a captain this year and a great leader for the team on and off the field. She is always calm and not rattled. In addition, she makes all the girls on the team feel like they are important and belong.”
Jordan credits Coach Epke for making her into the player that she is today. Jordan says that Epke has always encouraged her to give her best effort and is an influential mentor to her.
“Coach Epke has been my coach ever since I’ve started lacrosse. She’s an amazing coach and has pushed me to play my hardest,” says Jordan. “She has helped me grow not only as a player, but as a person. She’s always supported me on and off the field and has been someone I could always turn to for advice.”
Jordan enjoys patrolling the defensive end of the pitch for the Grizzlies. She also loves to see her teammates progressing into better all-around lacrosse players on a daily basis.
“So far, my favorite moment as a player has been able to watch and experience the growth of the team,” Jordan says. “Each year, new players are welcomed to the team, and with every player comes different abilities. The different abilities that players bring to the team help make us grow and become a stronger team.”
Jordan wants the Grizzlies stay healthy and perform to their potential every time they take the field this season. The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, but Jordan’s feels that Guilford’s athletes in are in good hands.
“My expectation for this season is that every game we play, we play our hardest and show other teams what we’re made of,” says Jordan. “I’m not that worried playing through the COVID pandemic, as Guilford High School has guidelines in place to keep us safe—like social distancing and wearing our masks during games and while we’re on the sidelines—which enables us to have a safe season.”