It's A Field Hockey Three-Peat For Guilford [VIDEO]

WETHERSFIELD, CT — After no fall state tournaments were conducted in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Guilford High School was eager to take the turf Saturday morning in its quest for a third straight Class M field hockey title. However, it would not be easy, as opposition was provided by second-seeded Wethersfield, playing in its first championship game in more than four decades, and in its home stadium to boot.

The final score - a 4-0 Guilford victory - and game statistics - 25 penalty corners taken by Guilford, none for the Eagles - do not accurately reflect how competitive the matchup actually was. Wethersfield's stingy defense, particularly a 26-save effort by goalkeeper Julia Peacock, kept the game scoreless through the first half. Several of those saves were of the spectacular, sprawling variety.

Nearly 45 minutes elapsed before the Grizzlies broke through on the scoreboard. With just over seven seconds remaining in the third quarter, Maddie Epke made a lengthy solo run down the field, eluding several Eagles defenders before firing a shot on goal. Peacock made the stop, but Grace Barlage knocked home a rebound to give Guilford the only goal it would need.

The Grizzlies iced the championship with three goals in the fourth quarter. Barlage tallied her second of the contest, followed by goals by Allie Petonito and Isabel Matthews.

"It was so amazing, it made all the practices and all the running worth it," Barlage said.

Epke, who last month received the Hank O'Donnell Female Athlete of the Year award from the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance (CSMA), recorded three assists.

"It just gets better every year," Epke said. "We knew the goalie was going to be really good coming in, but we knew we'd just have to keep shooting and see what works."

Julia McDonald made two saves to earn the shutout in goal for the Grizzlies.

Guilford coach Kitty Palmer, who was also honored by the CSMA as the Doc McInerney High School Coach of the Year last month, said, "It's unfortunate the Maddie Epke era is closing, but we'll try like heck to get back here next year."

To register for free Guilford breaking news alerts and more, click here.