ON THE MOVE: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Lily Harlan brings the ball up the field in game last season. Junior Harlan will help spearhead the Stuart defense this spring. The Tartans start their 2022 season by hosting South Brunswick on March 31. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming off a 1-12 season in 2021 which saw it lose several close games, the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse team is determined to get over the hump this spring.

“As the saying goes, we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on a couple of occasions last year,” said Stuart head coach Mark Maser, whose team starts its 2022 season by hosting South Brunswick on March 31.

“The mood is very positive, we have a good turnout of numbers this year. We have at least 20 with about a dozen returning players.”

The key returning player for Stuart is junior star and co-captain Emily Ix, who had team-high 42 points on 37 goals and five assists last season.

“Emily is looking good, she is going to be playing midfield,” said Maser. “She brings an inspiration and an optimism. She has got good skills, she is a solid player.”

The Tartans boast two other solid players in the midfield with freshman Alison Lee and senior co-captain Kaitlyn Magnani.

“Allison has been playing the game for a while, she plays club,” said Maser. “She is a smaller kid as a freshmen but she can do everything — right hand, left hand, pass, and catch. She is really, really good. Kaitlyn missed most of the season last year with injury. She is a two-way player. Between Kaitlyn, Emily, and Anna Landis, they are doing a very good job of taking it upon themselves to tutor the new kids a little bit before and after practice. It is a collaborative experience.”

Junior Landis will help spearhead a collaborative effort at attack, joined by junior Madisen Leggett, junior Peighton Dwellingham, and junior Abby Snyder.

“Anna and Madisen will probably be my two go-to attackers,” said Maser. “I have quite a few I can put in there. I also have Peighton and Abby. Those are the girls who played before, that is what I am trying to focus on first and foremost. Unless somebody really stands out as a talent, I am going more with the experience.”

On defense, the trio of junior Lily Harlan, sophomore Isabel Milley, and sophomore Elise Price should be standouts along the backline.

“Lily is going to lead the way there,” says Maser. “She brings speed, she is a tenacious defender. She brings leadership and has a positive attitude. I also have Elise and Isabel there. Isabel has a very good game sense, she has a high lax IQ.”

Senior Lauren Gracias and sophomore Alex Mandzij are sharing the goalie duties.

“They are both looking good,” said Maser, noting that both Gracias and Mandzij bring a competitive attitude from starring in field hockey. “In our first scrimmage I am planning to play them each in a half. Neither one is shy, neither one of them is a flincher. They are showing progress in clearing.”

In order to make progress this spring, Stuart will need to utilize its depth.

“We have so stay conditioned because I think that is what hurt us most last year when we didn’t have a deep bench,” said Maser. “I have a deeper bench this year, I think that is a key to success. I am hoping we will have fresher legs. I have players who can play multiple positions.”