JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse junior stars, Julia Maser, right, and Tori Hannah go on attack in recent action. Hannah scored a team-high 56 goals this spring while Maser chipped in 42 as the Tartans posted a final record of 7-9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Ending the spring with a bang, the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse team made the most out of the last week of its season.

Over a five-day stretch from May 7-12, Stuart reeled off three wins, topping Hightstown 15-12 and Hamilton 15-13 before edging Lawrence 10-9 in its season finale.

Stuart first-year head coach Kelsey O’Gorman liked the way her squad kept making progress.

“We had a really strong finish; it depicted that the girls really improved,” said O’Gorman. “They played smart in some tight games. Overall you could see them carrying out decisions and playing smarter.”

In O’Gorman’s view, her team’s increased lacrosse IQ was one of the biggest pluses to come out of the spring as the Tartans posted a final record of 7-9.

“I think it was decision-making all over the field,” said O’Gorman. “We had a lot fewer turnovers and everybody started playing their roles and playing as a team.”

Stuart came through at both ends of the field in its season-ending win. “The last game was 10-9 at Lawrence,” recalled O’Gorman. “It was great to end on a strong note, they went away in good spirits.”

The team’s two seniors, goalie Harlyn Bell and attacker Nneka Onukwugha, lifted spirits throughout the season.

“Harlyn just led the team so well; her attitude was always upbeat,” said O’Gorman of Bell, who passed the 400-save mark in her Tartan career.

“She is a great role model. She was also very consistent, that is not easy for a goalie. Nneka is quieter; she is very level-headed. She used her athleticism from basketball. She could turn it on offensively and defensively. It was a two-person senior class but it seemed like more. You always knew what you were going to get from them.”

With a large and talented group of juniors featuring Tori Hannah (56 goals and 7 assists in 2015), Julia Maser (42 goals, 6 assists), Sam Servis (10 goals, 5 assists), Harley Guzman (28 goals, 6 assists), Rose Tetnowski (1 goal, 1 assist), Izzy Engel (10 goals, 3 assists), Armani King, and Kimberly Rodas, the Tartans should continue getting better and better.

“It is a well-balanced class, there are good players on offense, defense, and in the midfield,” said O’Gorman.

“They trickle experience and talent all over the field, which will help the new players we get and the younger players we already have. They have already stepped up and I am sure they will step up more.”

O’Gorman, for her part, enjoyed stepping into the Stuart program. “It was nice to have a small team,” said O’Gorman, who was previously the head coach of the Princeton High girls’ lax squad.

“We were able to focus and concentrate on specifics of the game, whether long or short term. The progress was gratifying, they were able to compete and we had some nice wins.”