SUPER SAVER: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse goalie Harlyn Bell makes a save in a game last spring. Senior goalie Bell will be counted on to lead the Stuart defense this spring. The Tartans started the season with a 17-6 win over the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Pa.) last Monday, giving new head coach Kelsey O’Gorman a win in her debut. Stuart plays at the George School (Pa.) on April 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

For Kelsey O’Gorman, it has been an easy move, literally and figuratively, to take the helm of the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse program.

O’Gorman, the former head coach of the Princeton High girls’ team and a physical education teacher at the school, has enjoyed coming across town to lead the Tartans.

“I thought it was a great opening; I saw a good opportunity,” said O’Gorman, who guided PHS to a 17-4 record last spring and trips to the finals of both the Mercer County Tournament and Group III South sectional.

“I was taking over for coach (Caitlin) Grant, I knew her from college (TCNJ) and she said it was a great group of girls. It has been exciting to see how everything works at Stuart and bring to some of my experiences to the program.”

Stuart features a trio of exciting playmakers in junior stars, Tori Hannah, Sam Servis, and Julia Maser.

“Those three juniors bring a lot to the field, from draws to passing to scoring,” said O’Gorman, who is taking over a team that went 8-6 in 2014.

“I think the draw is the hot spot for us, we get so much possession. It is nice because that is something you normally have to work on a lot at the beginning. I have a lot of faith in our draw unit.”

Senior Nneka Onukwugha, junior Harley Guzman, and freshman Ali Hannah will also see work in the offensive end.

“Harley and Nneka will help the attack,” added O’Gorman, whose team was on the attack in its opener as it posted a 17-6 win over the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Pa.) last Monday. “Tori’s younger sister, Ali Hannah, will be helping us on attack.”

On defense, junior Rose Tetnowski should be a big help to a young group.

“Rose is one of our most experienced defenders; she is great at clearing the ball,” said O’Gorman.

“She is a smart player and a good all-around athlete. We are still working with some younger players on defense. We have a lot of talent there but we are looking for veterans to lead the way.”

Senior goalie Harlyn Bell figures to be a key leader for the Tartans this spring.

“Harlyn has a lot of spunk, she knows how to lead a team,” asserted O’Gorman. “She brings things together on defense and is verbal in the crease.

She has great footwork, she is a great player.”

In O’Gorman’s view, things are coming together as the players get used to their new coach.

“We just need to grow as a team and learn from each game,” said O’Gorman, whose team will look to keep on the winning track when it plays at the George School (Pa.) on April 7.

“They are definitely coachable girls. When they are at practice, they are ready to learn. They have to be versatile players because we will be asking them to step into roles that are best for the team. They go with the flow.”

O’Gorman believes the team can go far this spring. “I am looking to take Stuart lacrosse up a notch and compete at a whole new level,” said O’Gorman. “We had practice today at 6 a.m. It is intense.”