(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: TWO-WAY TRAFFIC: Stuart Country Day field hockey star Sarah Schulte battles for the ball in a game last season. Senior midfielder Schulte has emerged as a key two-way player for the Tartans, providing solid defensive play and scoring production. Stuart, now 5-4, hosts Hun on October 8 before playing at Hopewell Valley on October 10 and Lawrence High on October 13.

Senior Star Schulte Providing 2-Way Play as Stuart Field Hockey Shows Progress

Bill Alden

Over the last three years, Sarah Schulte has been a key defensive performer for the Stuart Country Day field hockey team.

This fall, though, Schulte has moved up to midfield and is emerging as an offensive catalyst for the Tartans.

“I used to play back a lot,” said Schulte. “It has just been fun to get up there; it is always fun to score.”

The 6’0 Schulte had plenty of fun last Wednesday, scoring a goal and picking up an assist as Stuart cruised to a 6-0 win over visiting Ranney School.

Schulte liked the way the Tartans played as they bounced back from a 3-0 loss to powerful Peddie the day before.

“We played really hard yesterday but we couldn’t seem to put the ball in the cage,” said Schulte.

“Today we didn’t have a problem with that so that was great. We played real hard and we played as a team. We passed back much more which we had trouble with before. We spread out; we showed really what we can be and hopefully what we will be in the games to come.”

A key to the Stuart offense was the connection between Schulte and sophomore star Maddie Copeland.

“Maddie has amazing stick skills and I just do the passes,” said Schulte. “I know if I give it to her, she will take care of it.”

As a co-captain, Schulte is enjoying taking care of leadership responsibilities.

“I was captain for basketball last year and it is just great to just take that role and kind of form the team,” said Schulte.

“Rachel [Gittleman] and I do a great job together with Dewi [Caswell]. Our team is definitely really close this year; much closer than we have been in the past. It is not because of us, it is just the way it has turned out. It is really fun.”

Stuart head coach Katie Grant is having fun working with her tight-knit squad.

“It is a smaller team but I think a smaller team makes you feel like a team because everybody contributes,” said Grant.

“We do have our leaders, the girls who have played other years like Sarah and Maddie but the majority of girls are brand new to varsity. They are all in the same boat and they are all learning together. They are willing to learn; they ask questions and they work hard. I love it when I see them apply something; I love watching them play good hockey.”

The Tartans displayed some good hockey in the win over Ranney. “They just did a lot of good passing today,” asserted Grant, whose team topped Princeton High 4-1 last Monday to improve to 5-4 on the season.

“I tell them to focus on taking fewer one-on-ones when we are winning and let’s make a good pass and don’t force it. I think it’s just amazing the difference that kind of mentality makes; you are just thinking about moving the ball and waiting for the right moment as opposed to just trying to push it, push it. It’s just nice to watch because in my mind that’s good hockey; passing is good hockey.”

Grant credits Schulte with helping Stuart to move that ball well. “Sarah is just a really smart player; she is always looking off her shoulders to see where the defense is and touching the ball in the right direction,” said Grant.

“She sees space ahead of the ball; she sees a step ahead. It’s a gift; it’s innate. She will put the ball in space so someone can run onto it; that’s why she is in the middle. She is a great distributor.”

With Stuart having struggled to score in its losses to Shawnee, Lawrenceville, Hill, and Peddie, Grant is looking for her players to convert those passes into goals.

“You have to score; that’s what it comes down to,” added Grant, whose team hosts Hun on October 8 before playing at Hopewell Valley on October 10 and Lawrence High on October 13.

“Getting that extra push in the circle where you are right on that rebound and you get a shot or a corner or something. When we are in the 25, you have to create something. That’s something that we are getting better at.”

Schulte, for her part, is confident that the Tartans will get better and better as they head into county and state prep competition.

“It’s been hard to win and lose, win and lose,” said Schulte. “We have a lot to learn and a lot to work on. As we showed today, we have the potential to do great things. We are very excited for the rest of the season.”

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