ON THE BALL: Stuart Country Day field hockey player Izy Engel brings the ball up the field last Thursday in a game against visiting Hightstown. Senior midfielder Engel played valiantly in a losing cause as Stuart fell 1-0 to the Rams. The Tartans, who moved to 0-4-2 with a 0-0 tie against Lawrence High last Monday, play at South Hunterdon on September 29 before hosting Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Pa.) on October 1 and Solebury School. (Pa.) on October 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Izy Engel was all over the place as the Stuart Country Day School field hockey team hosted Hightstown last Thursday afternoon.

Starting the game at midfield, senior Engel helped the Stuart defense hold the fort as Hightstown pressed forward in the first half, generating several scoring chances.

With the game knotted at 0-0 heading into the second half, Engel focused on getting the Tartans untracked offensively, making a number of forays upfield and sending the ball into the circle area.

While Stuart ended up yielding a goal in the last minute of the contest to fall 1-0, Engel liked the way the Tartans battled to the end.

“We were hustling hard, we still have some things that we have got to work on in practice but I am proud of the effort we put in, especially in the second half,” said Engel.

In Engel’s view, it is essential for her to hustle at both ends of the field.

“I am trying to set up plays and trying to defend the middle of the field,” explained Engel.

“It depends on the game too. I have played attack in the last couple of games. I played left midfield for part of this game and center mid too. I will go wherever coach (Missy) Bruvik needs me.”

As a battle-tested senior, Engel is also looking to set a good example for her younger teammates.

“I am really trying to encourage them and try to make sure that they keep up the hard work,” added Engel.

“The skills will come. I know how hard it is to play varsity freshman year. I am proud that they are going to the ball and hustling.”

Coming off a disappointing 1-0 defeat to the George School (Pa.) on September 20, Stuart showed progress against Hightstown.

“We definitely played a lot better than we did last game,” said Engel. “Hightstown is a tough team and we have a lot of underclassmen on our team. It has definitely been a growing year.”

Stuart head coach Bruvik likewise saw improvement in her squad as it battled the Rams.

“I thought we gave a much better fight today, going to the ball,” said Bruvik.

“Sometimes the kids get nervous and we have got to get rid of that nervousness and play the game. Good things will happen if you go after the ball and challenge.”

Bruvik credits Engel with making good things happen for the Tartans. “Izy is a good leader, she is one of those players who finds the ball,” said Bruvik.

“We had played her on attack against George the other day but we needed to have her back on the midfield against Hightstown because she is able to stop the ball and she creates the transition. She is instinctive on the ball and where the ball needs to go.”

Sophomore Bey-Shana Clark filled a big need for Stuart, making her debut at goalie with senior starter Alexxa Newman sidelined by injury.

“The first time Bey had pads on was yesterday,” noted Bruvik. “We knew at some point we had to ask somebody to be a backup goalie; you never know and it happened so quickly. You have to have a kid who is willing to do it and she made some nice saves.”

Playing at sweeper in front of Clark, junior Ali Hannah produced a nice performance against Hightstown.

“Ali did a good job in the backfield, she talks back there which is really important,” said Bruvik, also citing the play of sophomore Priscilla Francois and Breasia Williams.

“She works very hard on making it constructive for her teammates. Ali is the kind of player we could put in multiple positions. She steps up to the ball and she worked hard over the offseason.”

The Tartans need to work on their finishing to get on the winning track. “Sometimes we are a little too unselfish and we are trying to make that extra pass in the circle,” said Bruvik, whose team tied Lawrence 0-0 last Monday in moving to 0-4-2 and will be playing at South Hunterdon on September 29 before hosting Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Pa.) on October 1 and Solebury School. (Pa.) on October 4.

“We need that initial shot once we hit the circle, that has been our challenge. We have not had enough shots or penalty corners.”

Engel, for her part, is confident that the goals will come. “We have the opportunities, we just aren’t taking the shots,” said Engel.

“We definitely have the skill to do it and the hustle is there. We just have to bring it together and I think it is starting to come.”