ALL IN: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Ali Hannah heads to goal in game last season. Senior star Hannah figures to be the go-to finisher this spring for Stuart after tallying 80 goals in 2017. The Tartans get regular season play underway by playing at Nottingham on April 4 and then hosting Hun on April 6 and Gill St. Bernard’s on April 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse team is welcoming a dozen freshmen to its roster this spring, the addition of so many new faces hasn’t kept the squad from getting on the same page.

“We are such a large group of underclassmen and they bring a ton of energy,” said Stuart head coach Missy Bruvik, whose team posted a 6-10 record in 2017.

“I love how our juniors and seniors feel that camaraderie quickly with them; I think that is really important. We have 25 out for our program right now and every kid knows how important her participation is and the impact she can make, starting as freshmen.”

Bruvik is confident that her two seniors, Ali Hannah and Gin Gin Plehn, will make a big impact on attack.

“Ali and Gin Gin will be leading the attack,” said Bruvik, noting that junior Miranda Maley is also in the mix in that unit.

“Ali is looking strong, she has been working out. She is off to Rider next year to play field hockey and she has been doing her hockey workout which has been paying off for lacrosse. She and Gin Gin have been good leaders.”

The midfield will be led by junior Grace Sheppard who will be joined by a slew of new faces including sophomore transfer Caroline Mullen along with freshmen Catherine Martin and Lia Bull-Krieg.

Juniors Maria McBride, Bre Williams, and Bey-Shana Clark will spearhead the back line with freshmen Anna Dawson and Morgan John vying for the goalie position.

“Both kids have limited experience but they are hard workers and have a good attitude in terms of understanding how important that position is,” said Bruvik, referring to her goalie situation.

In Bruvik’s view, taking good care of the ball is a key to success this spring for the Tartans.

“It is going to be really important for us is to make sure that we can control the ball on attack,” said Bruvik, whose team gets the season underway this week by playing at Nottingham on April 4 and then hosting Hun on April 6 and Gill St. Bernard’s on April 9.

“We need to be possessing the ball and making sure that we are giving ourselves the best opportunities for a shot and a finish. In the midfield, we need to be winning the draws. We have to make sure that we are playing good defense and that when we lose possession, we are working hard to win the ball back.”