SAVING GRACE: Stuart County Day School field hockey goalie Emily Harlan makes a save in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, senior Harlan made 15 saves in a losing cause as Stuart fell 1-0 to Delaware Valley and moved to 4-6. The Tartans are next in action when they play at the Peddie School on October 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Emily Harlan is following in the footsteps of her older sister Lily in her senior season for the Stuart County Day School field hockey, having developed into an inspiring performer for the Tartans.

“I think part of it is being Lily’s sister, she has always been my leader,” said senior goalie Harlan of her older sibling who starred at forward for Stuart and is now playing at Boston University. “She influenced me to get into the game at a young age. She was here when I was here. When I saw her as a leader and then she left, I thought I am going to be like my sister. I am going to step it up.”

Last Thursday, Harlan stepped it up, making 15 saves in a losing cause as Stuart fell 1-0 to Delaware Valley and moved to 4-6.

“I was feeling sharp, I was ready to get a win,” said Harlan. “Even though we didn’t, I was just trying to hold down the fort a little bit.”

Harlan credited defenders, junior Abby Chirik and senior Annarose Bourgion St. Maurice, with playing a key role in helping her hold the fort.

“I think our defense is getting really, really strong,” said Harlan. “Abby and Annarose are such a good duo. They are really good at getting the ball and getting it out of the circle. It is awesome for me.”

As a third-year starter, Harlan has developed a strong mentality in the cage.

“I think a lot of it came from confidence, it is hard mentally,” said Harlan. “You let a goal in and you are really upset about it but now I am not going to let a goal in. It is like you change your mentality. I think that has been such a big difference and then obviously skill.”

While Harlan previously played outside of school for the Princeton Field Hockey Club, she has been training on her own over the last two years to sharpen her skills and athleticism.

“I play field hockey with my sister, she is great for the hard shot,” said a smiling Harlan. “I play lacrosse, tennis, I do a lot of sports to keep me active.”

Stuart head coach Missy Bruvik credited Harlan with playing very well against Delaware Valley.

“Emily came up huge,” said Bruvik. “There is that defensive confidence in the backfield when Emily is in the cage for sure.”

Bruvik has confidence in the play of the squad’s defensive backfield.

“I think everybody on the defensive end played well today,” said Bruvik, citing the efforts of Chirik and Bourgion St. Maurice.

With Stuart have lost six straight games and scoring just one goal in that stretch, Bruvik acknowledged that the team’s attack is a work in progress.

“Our offensive unit is still working on making those connections between our midfield and moving the ball up the field as an offensive unit,” said Bruvik. “I think we have to do a better job getting into the circle moving forward and trusting that somebody has to be up, ready to receive.”

Senior Nyla Flamer worked hard to get things moving on the offensive end again Del Val.

“I thought Nyla had a great game today,” said Bruvik. “She was mentally and physically engaged all over the field. She made some great defensive plays. She was the one who got the offense moving.”

The Tartans need to be more engaged when they get the ball in the circle.

“That is something we have to keep working on, getting the shots off quicker, doing some lifts and being more creative as we get inside the circle,” said Bruvik, whose team plays at the Peddie School on October 16.

Although Stuart has been taking its lumps in recent action, Bruvik has no qualms with the effort she is getting from her players.

“What has been great is that they are working hard for 60 minutes,” said Bruvik. “As long as we continue to do that hopefully some wins will come.”

In Harlan’s view, the Tartans are heading in the right direction.

“We just need that confidence because we can definitely do it,” said Harlan. “We have just grown so much already. I am excited to see how the rest of the season goes. We have just really progressed. Of course I want to win but I am just happy about how we are growing as a team. I think that is what is most important.”