By Bill Alden

It was a perfect way to cap off a big week for the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team.

With the sun shining and soft breeze wafting across Natale Family Athletic Field last Saturday afternoon, the Hun players skipped through their pregame warmup, getting ready to host Moorestown Friends, looking for their third win in six days after beating Peddie 19-8 in the first round of the Prep A tourney on April 26 and then routing Stuart Country Day 15-1 on Wednesday.

“We had a really good warmup, Saturday games are the best because we are able to have that nice time in the beginning,” said Hun senior midfielder and captain Anna Hyson.

“It is a beautiful day. We took that, listened to some good music, got hyped, got together as a team and went out strong.”

Against Moorestown Friends, Hun got off to a very strong start, jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the first 12 minutes of the contest.

“In practice, we really focused on the feeds, not forcing it and spreading the ball,” said Hyson. “We were taking our time and waiting for the perfect shot.”

Hyson helped get things moving, picking up a goal and an assist as Hun built a 12-0 advantage by halftime and never looked back on the way to a 14-4 victory.

“I was feeling good, it was more of an offensive game for me,” said Hyson.

“I am normally more of a defensive player, I was taking a step up as an offensive player. Normally our team needs defense but we have some new girls coming back from quarantine and injuries and I was able to play more on the offensive side.”

With Hyson helping out in the midfield, the Hun defense was stingy.

“Our goalie Angela Vitale had a shutout in the first half of our last game and in the first half of this game,” said Hyson. “She saved us at times but our defense was doing well. We were communicating well and were able to crash well.”

In the second half, Hun took care of business, fine-tuning its attack.

“We were working on our plays more, using different players, seeing what we can do taking control of the ball,” said Hyson.

In reflecting on the team’s recent surge, Hyson attributed it to some focused training.

“We struggled a few games, we broke things down in practice and said this is what we need to work on,” said Hyson. “We wanted to fix where we were weak and be able to do well.”

As a team captain, Hyson showed her leadership before the spring season even started.

“I kind of took where the team needed me,” said Hyson. “We got a late start due to the decision on the coach. I took the team and started workouts, seeing what we could do. Coach [Kathleen] Jaeger came in, she and I clicked initially. We really work well together, she tells me where to head in.”

With Hyson headed to Skidmore College where she will be playing for its women’s lacrosse program, she has soaked up some lessons from Jaeger, a former lax star at TCNJ.

“She has helped me a lot,” said Hyson. “She knows with a high school team there are different skill levels. She is able to help the team unite as one but then help me advance my game.”

Hun head coach Jaeger credits Hyson with helping unite the squad.

“Anna is a huge leader, she is one of those you hear downfield,” said Jaeger. “She is just a vital part on both sides so it is nice to see that come and show up in the stat book.”

Hun’s quick start against Moorestown Friends was nice to see for Jaeger.

“We had the momentum and the energy which is something we have been striving for,” said Jaeger.

“That was really exciting to see, winning the draw, getting the job done and moving the ball quickly on attack.”

The Raiders also displayed some good balance in their attack as several players got on the score sheet.

“I think that defines a true team and unites both our attack and our defensive side,” added Jaeger, who got six goals from Abby O’Brien in the win with Olivia Kim adding three and Ava Olender chipping in two.

“That is a principle we have been talking a lot about and finding the strengths of each player.”

Freshman Kim has been emerging as a weapon for the Hun offense.

“Olivia’s confidence on attack is increasing so it is nice to see all of those different pieces blend together,” said Jaeger.

“It takes time to develop an attacking unit, you are seeing pieces coming together.”

Jaeger also liked the way things came together defensively on Saturday.

“It starts from the back and from goal,” said Jaeger. “We were sliding well, the communication was there. I think you could see that because Moorestown had a lot of people who were driving or passing so we didn’t know what to expect.”

In assessing the team’s solid start, Jaeger sees it as a product of bringing intensity every day.

“Energy has been a big focus of our team,” said Jaeger, whose team saw its three-game winning streak end last Monday when it fell 14-3 to Oak Knoll in the state Prep A semifinals to move to 6-4 and will look to get rolling again as it hosts Stuart on May 6, Hill School (Pa.) on May 8, and Episcopal Academy (Pa.) on May 11.

“Despite everything else that is happening at school or in the world right now, when we step in the field for lacrosse that is all that matters. They see with the coaches and the teammates that we are just one unit together. That has been a building force all throughout the season.”

Hyson, for her part, is energized to make the most of her final high school campaign.

“I am super thankful for the athletic department. They have done everything they can to get us in the field and get us all the things we need,” said Hyson, who got a goal in the loss to Oak Knoll. “I am more than thankful to have a senior season.”