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04/05/2023 09:00 AMFor a team that has seen a lot of postseason success in recent seasons, there is natural pressure that comes with trying to maintain that status. The Guilford Grizzlies girls’ lacrosse team falls into that category. After collecting back-to-back state championships and multiple conference titles over the last few years, they are ready to continue their dominance on the field this spring.
Head Coach Wendy Epke and the Guilford squad, who in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons won the Class M State Championship title while also claiming the SCC conference crown in 2019, 2021, and 2022, have four experienced senior captains in the fold this campaign who all hope to guide the team down the winning path. Those captains are MJ Santa Barbara (mid-fielder), Kat Baseggio (defender), Ella Clarke (mid-fielder), and Scout Climie (mid-fielder).
“All four will bring experience as leaders. They’ve been through a lot. They were the class that missed out on their first freshman season due to Covid, so, they recognize the value of getting to play,” said Epke. “They work hard each day knowing what the privilege of getting to play lax for your high school is all about.”
Within the ranks of the SCC, the Grizzlies compete at the Tier One level against Cheshire, Amity Regional, Daniel Hand, Sacred Heart Academy, Sheehan, Lauralton Hall, and Branford.
There are 32 teams that compete in Class M with Guilford, which include Amity, Berlin, Bethel, Branford, Bristol Central, Bristol Eastern, Brookfield, Daniel Hand, East Lyme, Ellington, Farmington, Fitch, Foran, Joel Barlow, Jonathan Law, Killingly, Ledyard, Litchfield, Lyman Hall, Masuk, New London, New Milford, North Haven, Pomperuag, RHAM, Rockville, St. Joseph, Suffield, Waterford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Woodstock Academy.
With the track record the Grizzlies have, Epke takes pride in the drive and desire the girls possess to want to continue making history and to keep bringing titles home.
“Our girls have had a lot of winning; this team has had a lot of success. Obviously, we graduate kids out every year,” said Epke. “The kids that are here, and the senior class especially, really want to give a great effort and get a chance to hold up that trophy again one more time.”
The Grizzlies return three First Team All-Conference and All-State players this season including Payton Root (junior, attacker), Santa Barbara, and Baseggio. There are also a few other returning players in senior Emerson Forselius (defender), junior Bella Blanco (defender), and sophomore Tea Gambardella (mid-fielder).
Bringing that experience and depth to Guilford’s season can help the team as a whole to overcome obstacles they may be faced with throughout the slate, and to handle high-pressure situations in stride.
“They have a lot of experience and they have been in those tough moments which is great, those type of pressure moments,” said Epke. “My expectation is that they are just going to pick up where they left off. The practices are intense, they work hard, they do their job of leading the team, being a good example of what hard work and what a state championship team trains and looks like.”
Root, Santa Barbara, and Baseggio can help put up strong numbers in games and Epke expects them to find even more success after being among the top ranks in the state.
“Payton is the leading scorer and led the conference in goals last season with 92. MJ is going to step up and take the draw for us this year,” said Epke. “Kat is a defender/middie. We expect her to get those caused turnovers and get those ground balls and transition the ball for us from the defense to the attack.”
Besides the on-field performances, team camaraderie and support are just as important, if not more, when it comes to being successful and winning championships. Epke knows the program has built a family-like atmosphere over the years, and she hopes to see that continue as this spring progresses.
“Since I have been coaching the team for quite a few years, it is great to see, when we come together it feels like they have created a great culture of being supportive and competitive,” said Epke. “Also, it feels like a family. They do a really good job of putting our team first and wanting the team to have success.”
The Grizzlies roster is comprised of Baseggio, Clarke, Climie, Forselius, Ava Lepro (senior, defender), Kayle Nophsker (senior, attacker), Kailyn Scott (senior, defender), Santa Barbara, Paige Balletto (junior, attacker), Blanco, Tania Evan (junior, attacker), Addison Widlitz (junior, attacker), Root, Maya Stoddard (junior, goaltender), Gambardella, Ciara Davenport (freshman, mid-fielder), and Kadence Epke (freshman, attacker).
Epke is assisted on the sidelines by Lou Monaco, John Climie, and Mark Severino.
Grizzlies Girls’ Lacrosse 2023 Schedule
Monday April 3: vs Mercy at 6 p.m.
Thursday April 6: vs Branford at 6 p.m.
Saturday April 8: vs Fitch at 2 p.m.
Monday April 10: vs Lauralton Hall at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday April 12: vs Sheehan at 6 p.m.
Thursday April 13: vs Wilton at 12 p.m.
Monday April 17: vs Sacred Heart Academy at 6 p.m.
Wednesday April 19: vs East Lyme at 6 p.m.
Friday April 21: vs Fairfield Ludlowe at 4 p.m.
Monday April 24: vs Daniel Hand at 6 p.m.
Thursday April 27: vs Simsbury at 6 p.m.
Monday May 1: vs Amity at 6 p.m.
Tuesday May 9: vs Cheshire at 6 p.m.
Thursday May 11: vs Glastonbury at 5 p.m.
Monday May 15: vs North Haven at 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday May 16: vs Staples at 5:30 p.m.