(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) CONSTANT PRESSURE: Stuart Country Day senior star Jenae Harrington controls the ball in a pre-season scrimmage last month. With Harrington spearheading the Stuart defense, the Tartans have given up just one goal this season in producing a 3-1 start.

Stuart Field Hockey Dealing With Change; But Harrington's Stingy Defense a Constant

Bill Alden

There have been a lot of changes around the Stuart Country Day field hockey program this fall.

First, former Duke star Katie Grant has taken the head coaching reins from the legendary Missy Bruvik, who is still with the program as an assistant.

Grant has instilled a new formation, featuring four lines rather than three in order to promote more ball movement and take advantage of the width of the field.

The Tartans are also dealing with the loss to graduation of such stars as Kelly Bruvik, Liz Colicchio, Eleanor Hayes-Larson, and Megan Fitzpatrick who helped lead Stuart to an 18-1-1 season in 2006 and the program's second straight county title.

But in the early going, one constant is apparent as the Tartans have continued to boast a stingy defense, having surrendered just one goal in the team's first four games.

And like the last few seasons, Jenae Harrington has provided an imposing presence in the center of the defense with her combination of athleticism and tenacity.

Last week, Harrington helped harass Great Road rival Princeton Day School, slowing down its tandem of Mariel and Sydney Jerkins as Stuart blanked the Panthers 2-0.

In reflecting on the win, Harrington said that continuity has helped the Tartan defensive unit thrive.

"We pretty much have all the people back except for a few people who graduated," said Harrington. "We're used to each other and how we play. We have all gotten better so the defense is the same."

The team is still getting used to the changes brought in by Grant. "We are getting used to the new positioning and starting to blend more as a team," said Harrington.

"We have more support back and we have more width. We are working on our passes instead of just depending on one person to dribble up the middle."

The new system has afforded Harrington the opportunity to roam up the field more and utilize her stick skills.

"In the past we had just one sweeper, now we have more support," added Harrington. "It gives us more room on the field; it's more of a team support system. It's easier to pass."

Harrington feels the defense is getting good support from senior goalie Clodah Coghlan, who is starting after paying her dues as a reserve.

"I thought Clodah was good enough to play last year but the other goalie was a small bit better," said Harrington.

"Clodah has gone to camp and things; she's gotten a lot better. I can depend on her to stop a ball if I miss it. She depends on me to get it before it gets there."

Grant, for her part, likes the way her veteran defense has responded. "They work nicely off each other," said Grant.

"They were definitely challenged today; that was good for them. We've got to be strong in the back and keep our heads up. PDS had some girls who can play; they kept us on our toes. You have to keep the ball in front of you and not be too anxious to intercept."

It has been a bit of an anxious time for the Stuart players as they have learned Grant's system.

"They have been adjusting well; it's a process," said Grant, whose team got edged 1-0 by WW/P-N last Monday to fall to 3-1 on the season. "I've been moving people in and out of different positions. It's hard for them; they are a little bit unsure here and there where they need to be."

Grant, though, is confident her players will be in the right place when it counts the most.

"I think that by doing this in the beginning of the season, they are becoming versatile," said Grant, whose club hosts Lawrenceville on September 19 and Hightstown on September 24.

"They are becoming aware of what each player is doing and they are understanding how to back each other up in different spots. In the end, I hope we have people that can play everywhere and that we'll have depth at the end of the season."

The players have shown an intelligence that helped them adapt on the fly in the win over PDS.

"They are very, very smart," asserted Grant. "At halftime they have so many ideas of what they can change. That's fun for me. I see things and they see a lot of other stuff too."

Harrington believes the team's players are not shy about reaching out to each other. "I have more experience so I can help people who are new to varsity," said Harrington.

"I have the responsibility to get them up to speed. But at the same time, some person might know how to do something better so we all should help each other."

By working together, Stuart should keep up the program's winning tradition. "I'm excited for the rest of the season," said Harrington with a smile.

"If we practice hard, stay pumped, and don't psych each other out, we can play the system. It should go really well; we should have a really good season."

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