MASER VISION: Stuart Country Day School girls’ lacrosse player Julia Maser races past a foe in recent action. Last Monday, junior star Maser tallied four goals and an assist to help Stuart defeat Nottingham 22-1. The Tartans, who moved to 3-3 with the win, host Princeton Day School on April 23 before playing at Hamilton on April 25 and at the Solebury School (Pa.) on April 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

It didn’t take long for the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse team to develop a comfort level with new head coach Kelsey O’Gorman.

The Tartans opened the season by posting two double-digit victories, beating Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Pa.) 17-6 and George School (Pa.) 16-6 and have gotten on the same page with their new leader.

“It really was a good confidence booster, it was  winning home and away,” said O’Gorman, reflecting the 2-0 start.

“We have been doing a lot of team bonding, it has been great building relationships and getting to know the team. It is a great group of girls, I have really been happy to work with them.”

While Stuart hit some bumps in the road, falling 12-11 to WW/P-S on April 9, 14-13 to Pennington on April 10 and 15-11 to Hun on April 13, O’Gorman believes those setbacks will help the squad in the long run.

“We lost two tight games, it was unfortunate,” said O’Gorman. “I think the team matured a lot from that. We know we need to work together and be a two-half team.”

O’Gorman likes the way her players are working together on the offensive end.

“I think the biggest positive is that we are starting to click, just getting to play with each other,” said O’Gorman, whose team rolled to a 22-1 win over Nottingham last Monday with junior Izzy Engel, junior Julia Maser, junior Tori Hannah, and her younger sister, freshman Ali Hannah, each scoring four goals.

“Julia Maser is just exceptional and Tori Hannah has really been stepping up. Izzy Engel and Nneka Onukwugha have been getting goals. Harley Guzman has been a good leader for us.”

Senior goalie Harlyn Bell has led the way on the defensive end. “Harlyn is outstanding in goal,” asserted O’Gorman. “She makes a ton of saves, she has composure, and is a great leader for us.”

In O’Gorman’s view, her team is primed to do some great things down the stretch.

“I think we are ready to bounce back from those losses and get the ball rolling here,” said O’Gorman, whose team improved to 3-3 with the win over Nottingham and hosts Princeton Day School on April 23 before playing at Hamilton on April 25 and at the Solebury School (Pa.) on April 27.

“We need to step up our aggression and be more composed. I am excited for the rest of the season.”