The Guilford girls’ lacrosse team has been downright dominant to begin the 2021 season. The Grizzlies are undefeated with a record of 6-0 and have won every game by at least seven goals.

Guilford continued its strong start to the year by notching victories against Cheshire and Lauralton Hall last week. Head Coach Wendy Epke feels grateful that the Grizzlies are playing lacrosse after the 2020 campaign was canceled and expects them to be in contention to defend SCC title that Guilford won in 2019.

“We are just so thankful to be playing,” said Epke. “After losing out on a season last year and all the ups and downs of the school year, it feels so normal to be out training and being a team together. We hope to win and defend our title, but most importantly, we just hope to complete our season.”

Guilford had posted wins against Glastonbury (14-6), North Haven (19-1), Trumbull (17-5), and Branford (15-2) prior to playing its recent games versus Cheshire and Lauralton Hall. In last week’s matchups, the Grizzlies earned a 17-10 home win over Cheshire on April 20 and then claimed a 16-5 victory at Lauralton Hall on April 23.

Coach Epke has been pleased to see her team win all of its contests in convincing fashion. In addition to facing familiar SCC foes like Hand, Guilford has some challenging non-conference games against Fairfield Ludlowe and Staples coming up on its schedule.

“All our games except our one against Glastonbury we have gotten our opponents to a running clock,” Epke said. “We have a very talented team this year. Many of the girls play year-round lacrosse, so our practices are very competitive, and the girls are training very hard. We have a couple of FCIAC opponents in the next two weeks, and that will be a great challenge for us.”

Freshman attacker Payton Root scored five goals for Guilford when it claimed a 17-10 victory against Cheshire in a rematch of the 2019 SCC final. Junior midfielder Maddie Epke had four goals with an assist for the Grizzlies, who also received three goals from senior captain Hannah Tillier, two goals by senior captain Sydney Cunningham, and one goal apiece from junior Taylor Farace, junior Lorelei King, and sophomore MJ Santa Barbara. Junior goalie Sydney Widlitz recorded seven saves in net for Coach Epke’s club.

“Our rematch with Cheshire was really fun,” Epke said. “When we played them in 2019, we were the underdogs. The roles are reversed now, and I was happy my team stepped up and got the job done.”

The Grizzlies followed up their win over Cheshire by defeating Lauralton Hall 16-5 three days later. Tillier had five goals and one assist, while Epke netted three goals to go with five assists in the victory. Root, Cunningham, and Farace each scored two goals. Santa Barbara and sophomore Kat Baseggio added one goal apiece.

Tillier, Cunningham, and fellow senior Jordan Filley are serving as Guilford’s captains this season. Tillier and Cunningham are both attackers, and Filley plays the defender position for the Grizzlies.

“They are doing a great job of bringing energy and great camaraderie to the group. They are all starters for us, and we expect them to help lead us on and off the field,” Coach Epke said of her captains. “In addition, we rely a lot on Maddie Epke. She’s our lone returning postseason award-winner [an All-SCC First Team selection] from the 2019 season. She controls the draw and the middle of the field for us. She’s a great athlete.”

Widlitz is back in net for her second year as Guilford’s starting goalie. Fellow juniors Farace and King, both midfielders, are also making a big impact for the Grizzlies this season. The same can be said of the freshman Root with her solid play on the attack.

“Sydney Widlitz is our returning starting goalie. She was the SCC tourney MVP in 2019, and she’s our wall on defense,” said Epke. “Freshman Payton Root has jumped out to a fast start at attack. She’s got a tricky stick and a wicked tough shot. We expect big things from her this season. In the midfield, we are a tall, fast group. We have Taylor Farace, who recently committed to Sacred Heart University, and Lorelei King, a transfer from North Haven who is coming off of a very successful cross country season for the Grizzlies.”

Coach Epke was equally complimentary of sophomores Baseggio, Santa Barbara and Ella Clarke, who are all top performers on their respective club lacrosse teams. Baseggio is a defender, while Santa Barbara and Clarke and both midfielders. Epke is also happy that volleyball standout Emma Appleman joined the team to play defense as a senior.

“They are bringing a great level of competition to our practices and games on both the offensive and defensive side of the field,” Epke said of the sophomores. “Finally, Emma Appleman, a Division I volleyball commit, came back to the sport after taking five years off. Her athleticism on the field is noteworthy, and she brings a high level of determination that is helping our team on the defensive end.”

Guilford’s senior class also features attackers Ella Kagan, Kathryn Amatruda, and Izzy Gurnham, along with defenders Natalie Hudak, Jordan Lauren Skoglund, and Kate Russell.

The Grizzlies’ junior corps additionally includes defenders Paige Crowley, Olivia McDonald, and Caroline Kane. Defender Scout Climie is the other sophomore on the squad.