X-FACTOR: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Emily Ix displays her focus on the defensive end in a game this spring. Senior star Ix’s excellence at both ends of the field sparked Stuart as it posted a final record of 5-10 in 2023. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse team, its two games against Steinert this spring reflected the growth of the squad.

On April 26, Stuart fought hard against the Spartans but fell 11-8. Ten days later, the Tartans turned the tables on Steinert, rolling to an 18-7 win.

“It was not so much about the score, but I think that the kids made progress all year long,” said Stuart head coach Missy Bruvik, whose team went 5-10 this spring.

“The new kids to the game just continued to be eager to learn and were super receptive to learning about the game either from me or from their teammates. They took whatever they learned and put it into game situations. As the season went on that helped us grow as a team. Everybody was so willing to step up and be versatile.”

In Bruvik’s view, both her veterans and new faces made strides this spring.

“For the kids who were experienced, they had a really good year,” said Bruvik. “They continued to up their game, which was important to them. I also think having the new kids playing with them is only going to help the program in the future. The chemistry part was really something that was one of the high points of the season. Communication can be a tough thing and these kids communicated well with each other.”

One Stuart player who stepped up in particular was sophomore Allison Lee, who scored a team-record 13 goals in the win over Steinert and ended the spring with a program single-season best of 100 goals.

“Those goals were timely, they were momentum builders for the team,” said Bruvik of Lee, who also had a team-high 15 assists. “They were just timely goals to keep us in games. She worked on her shot all of the time in practice. Her speed and agility was recognized not only by her own teammates but by the other coaches and officials.”

Senior star Emily Ix (49 goals, 12 assists in 2023) made an impact that went beyond the lacrosse squad.

“Emily was really the heart and soul of the Stuart athletic program all four years,” said Bruvik. “She continued to encourage anybody in our upper school to come out for the team because she was so passionate for the game. She was also passionate for team sports, encouraging girls to give something a chance they have never done. She also has everybody’s back. If you come out, we are still going to support you all the way through whether you like it or are new to it and whatever happens. She is going to be missed.”

Another senior, Sydney Amato (11 goals, 1 assist), showed a lot of heart this spring.

“Sydney’s game got better throughout the course of the season,” said Bruvik. “When we needed her back on defense, to be the extra player on defense, she would do it. If we needed her at midfield, she would do that. We had her swinging from midfield to attack and often starting back on defense. She really just kept everybody focused and upbeat, that was one of her gifts.”

The squad’s two other seniors, Abby Snyder and Margaret Lesinsky, did whatever was needed for the Tartans.

“Abby stepped in when we did not have a goalie at the start of the season and said ‘I would like to give it a try because I know we need one,’” said Bruvik. “Abby was so selfless. When she was able to come back from an injury, we were able to either to put her back in goal or attack. Margaret was brand new to the game but was very coachable. She was most comfortable on defense so that is where we tried to focus with her and give her an opportunity to learn the game and hopefully have some fun.”

Sophomore Maya Dev was brand new to the goalie position and developed nicely as the spring went on.

“Maya stepped in at goal when Abby got hurt,” said Bruvik. “She made some great progress. She likes it, she is willing to do the work. It is great when you have an athlete who is willing to do the work. She is extremely selfless and will play anywhere you need her on the field for her teammates.”

Several other young players made a lot of progress this spring for Stuart, including freshman Abby Chirik (4 goals, 2 assists), sophomore Emily Harlan (6 goals, 8 assists), junior Elise Price (2 assists), junior Leila Washington, and freshman Taylor States.

“Abby was awesome; she played midfield and is a good athlete and I think she got better and better every game,” said Bruvik. “Emily worked on her shooting and at the end of the season — she was taking good shots and scored some important goals for us. You can’t ever beat Elise’s intensity on the field. She gives everything she has got, whether it is a ground ball or carrying the ball up the field. I was thrilled that we were able to get Leila and Taylor on the team. They were on defense, they had great game instincts. They also learned the game and worked hard to improve their individual skills every single day.”

Bruvik also cited the efforts of sophomore Annarose Bourgoin, sophomore Elise Hwang, and freshman Najma Tahiri.

“Annarose was a rock on defense; she was willing to be that back line of defense but also challenge in the midfield,” said Bruvik. “Elise was brand new to the game. She played attack and by the end of the season she was switching hands and really showing that she understands game concepts. Najma came out and she was eager to learn. She also played field hockey. These sports are new to her and she is getting better and better.”

Looking ahead, Bruvik is confident that her returning players will keep getting better and better.

“They should all be back,” said Bruvik, noting that she was starting six newcomers to the game through most of the season. “This was a really important year to learn those skills because they had those seniors there. There was never a lack of effort and intensity on the field, no matter what the score was.”