CENTER STAGE: Stuart Country Day School field hockey player Ali Hannah sends the ball up the field in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday senior center back Hannah scored a goal to help Stuart defeat Mount St. Mary 2-0. The Tartans, who improved to 3-2-1 with the victory, are slated to host Lawrence on September 29 and WW/P-North on October 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Ali Hannah prides herself on bringing a special vision to the game for the Stuart Country Day School field hockey team.

“I am the center back, it is a good role for me,” said senior star Hannah. 

“It fits my personality because I see the big picture. I see that during the game. When I see my opportunity to go up and help out on the offensive end, I take advantage of that.”

Last week against visiting George School (Pa.), Hannah seized an opportunity on a penalty corner early in the second half, taking a pass from Catherine Biava and banging it home for the lone goal in a 1-0 victory by Stuart in the September 19 contest.

“It was a great insert from Catherine; it was the right place, right time and we got it in,” said Hannah. “I felt like this is going in, I was confident.”

Getting on the same page was a point of emphasis for the Tartans, who had started the week by falling 3-1 to Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Pa.) a day earlier.

“Our confidence was down, we picked it up,” said Hannah, noting that the team was inspired by a quote asserting that playing a solo game won’t be enough to beat a team.

“We had a good talk about teamwork today. We have a quote of the day and it focused on teamwork and working together.”

Stuart showed some good teamwork on the defensive end, holding the fort in the face of some intense pressure from George down the stretch.

“Our defense is really strong, we all work together really well,” said Hannah.

“We are such a unit that we know where our teammates are at the right time, where to pass to, and where to recover to. Sam Johnson is a really great goalie with communication and telling us where we need to be so that really helps us out. I think that led us to our success on the defensive end today.”

In Hannah’s view, the victory over George should lead to more success for the Tartans.

“One of the things that we needed was a nice big win after that game and this definitely gave us that confidence,” said Hannah, who scored a goal to help Stuart defeat Mount St. Mary 2-0 last Thursday and improve to 3-2-1.

“I feel with the combination of the teamwork we had, it shows that teamwork does win games and that was the big picture of today’s game.”

Stuart head coach Missy Bruvik realized that her squad needed to produce a team effort to overcome George.

“They were a fast team, I thought we really had to be thinking a step ahead of them,” said Bruvik.

“We had opportunities to score and so did they. They were getting shots and we were switching people. I am happy we kept that 1-0 lead today.”

Bruvik credits Hannah with generating scoring opportunities for the Tartans.

“Ali comes up the offensive corners; she sees the game as it is developing and has the quick burst of speed,” said Bruvik.

“With her shooting the ball, there is no fear or hesitation, which is good. That is what you have to have: somebody to slow the ball down and everybody plays off of her in that backfield.”

It was fitting that Hannah’s goal came off of a penalty corner. “Offensively, we like our corners,” said Bruvik. “We feel like if we can get a corner and get a shot off, we are scrappy enough in front of the goal to finish.”

The scrappy play of junior defender Breasia Williams has been a major plus for Stuart this fall.

“Brea had a nice game,” said Bruvik. “She is so steady, she is a constant kid.”

In Bruvik’s view, her squad is showing steady improvement. “I love the way the kids just want to learn, we are throwing the younger kids in there in key situations,” said Bruvik, whose team is slated to host Lawrence on September 29 and WW/P-North on October 2.

“I love our seniors who are willing to play multiple positions. It is just play the game and play together, whether we are down or up or whatever the score is.”

Hannah, for her part, is confident that things will come together down the stretch for the Tartans.

“Last season, we ended in the state Prep B final and we are trying to get to that place,” said Hannah.

“We are unified as a team; it is similar to what I felt at the end of last year. I feel really good going into the rest of the season.”