FORWARD PROGRESS: Stuart Country Day School field hockey player Tori Hannah controls the ball in a game last season. Junior star Hannah should be a catalyst of the Stuart attack this fall. On Monday, Hannah scored a goal in a losing cause as the Tartans fell 3-2 to Princeton Day School in their season opener. In upcoming action, Stuart plays at the George School (Pa.) on September 11 before hosting Pennington on September 13 and WW/P-S on September 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

The Stuart Country Day School field hockey team is clearly trending upward. After going 3-14-1 in 2012, Stuart improved to 7-14-1 last fall.

As the Tartans get their 2014 campaign underway, head coach Missy Bruvik senses that her players are primed to keep things headed in the right direction.

“In the back of their minds, they would like to be over .500 for the season,” said Bruvik, whose team dropped a 3-2 nailbiter to Princeton Day School last Monday in its season opener.

“We want to be ready for the state and county tournaments, no matter what the record is. We have a strong schedule and that helps us get ready for that.”

Stuart boasts a trio of strong juniors in Tori Hannah, Sam Servis, and Julia Maser.

“The three of them will be vital to midfield, attack, transition, and corners,” said Bruvik. “Julia is such a hustler, she helps on both offense and defense.”

Bruvik will be looking to junior Cate Donahue, junior Rose Tetnowski, and freshman Ali Hannah to help with the scoring.

“Cate Donahue looks good on offense, she has really improved her stick skills,” added Bruvik, who has senior Nneka Onukwugha on the front line.

“Rose has the chance to play all over the field. She is versatile, she is an up and coming athlete. Ali Hannah, Tori’s younger sister, has a strong presence on the field. We are throwing her in there.”

Sophomore Izzy Engel provides Stuart with a strong presence all over the field.

“Izzy Engel can play pretty much anywhere,” said Bruvik. “She is helping us in the backfield on transition, she has great field sense, she can give us four or five interceptions in a game and get the offense going that way.”

On defense, Stuart will be featuring a blend of veterans and new faces in junior Kate Walsh and senior Fayette Plambeck, along with a trio of sophomores, Emily Rounds, Mary O’Boyle, and Madeline McLaughlin.

“Kate Walsh is very versatile,” said Bruvik.

“Emily Rounds will be seeing time on defense. Mary O’Boyle will help us back there. Madeline McLaughlin is new to the team, she has the intangibles, speed, aggression, and nose for the ball.”

Senior Harlyn Bell is showing a lot of intangibles as she replaces graduated star goalie Margaret LaNasa.

“Bell has stepped into the goalie role,” said Bruvik. “She went to a couple of camps this summer and did a great job in goal in our scrimmage against Princeton High.”

On the whole, Bruvik has been impressed with the great work she has been getting from her players so far this season.

“Nneka and Fayette are returning seniors and they are providing great leadership along with the juniors,” said Bruvik, whose team plays at the George School (Pa.) on September 11 before hosting Pennington on September 13 and WW/P-S on September 16.

“There is a lot of heart and hustle, they are very coachable. Communication is key, we need to be on the same page. Everybody needs to know where they have to be on the field. They need to be better at knowing when to get back and when to get forward.”