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Stuart Field Hockey Edges Hun As It Rachets Up the Intensity
By Bill Alden
The Stuart field hockey team was all smiles as it took a one-goal lead against the Hun School early in the second half last Wednesday.
For Tartans' senior link Angela Harrington, however, the joy of the moment triggered a flashback to the team's loss to Lawrenceville in mid-September.
"I was thinking back to Lawrenceville when we were up and they came back and scored two goals," recalled Harrington. "I was thinking not again."
Harrington used that memory to fuel an outstanding performance, setting things up on offense and thwarting Hun's attack at the top of the circle as Stuart hung on for a hard-earned 1-0 win over the Raiders.
"I think I had my best game ever," asserted Harrington. "As a link you have to be good on offense and defense. As a team, we were all going to the ball. We were backing each other up all over the field. I think overall we had the will to win. I think it's the best game we have played."
Harrington's classmate, Carly Williams, had a similar reaction as the Tartans fought to hold onto their slim lead. "I think that in some of our recent games we have let up," said Williams. "We didn't quit at all today. We went for the ball every single time. We hustled back, it was amazing."
The quality and intensity of Stuart's performance heartened Tartans' head coach Missy Bruvik. "This is probably the first game this season that we've played a solid 60 minutes," asserted Bruvik, whose team scored on a Kelly Fitzpatrick goal which was set up by a feed from Taylor Blazewski.
"In the past we have given back some leads. I thought we moved our passing game well today. I thought we went for the ball better than we have all year. I'm very, very pleased."
In Bruvik's view, Harrington's performance at the link position, which is crucial to the team's transition game, was a major spark for Stuart. "I thought Angela played an outstanding game today," said Bruvik. "She did everything right on the offensive end. She knows when to go forward and when to stay back. She has a great field sense."
The Tartans built on their complete effort against Hun as they cruised past Ranney School 5-0 two days later to clinch their fifth straight Patriot Conference title. In improving to 6-1-2, Stuart got two goals from freshman Megan Fitzpatrick together with a goal apiece from Blazewski, Kelly Bruvik, and Kelly Fitzpatrick.
In upcoming action, Stuart plays at Peddie on October 15, at WW/P-S on October 17, and at Notre Dame on October 20 before starting play in the state Prep playoffs.
As defending state Prep champions, the Tartans are determined to rise to the occasion once again come tournament time. "I think we have a good shot," said Harrington after the win over Hun. "As well as we played today, I think we can step it up a notch."
