STICKING WITH IT: Stuart Country Day School field hockey player Abby Chirik dribbles the ball in a 2024 game. Stuart fell 3-0 to South Hunterdon last Friday in its season opener. The Tartans will look to get on the winning track as they host Steinert on September 10, play at WW/P-South on September 12, and then host WW/P-North on September 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Stuart Country Day School field hockey team is short on players, it boasts plenty of resourcefulness.

“It has been a good vibe, we are not going to be a huge team in terms of numbers,” said Stuart head coach Missy Bruvik, who guided the Tartans to a 5-11-1 record in 2024. “But what is exciting is the number of kids that were on the team as well last year. We are coming back with a lot of returners that were pretty versatile kids under the seven graduating kids. These kids that are returning have played multiple positions, what we are really looking to do is make some adjustments.”

Along the forward line, senior Sami Feldman, senior Nana Akua Ken-Kwofie (2 goals in 2024), sophomore Elaina Ryan, junior Betsy Murphy (2 goals), senior Sydney Anderson (1 goal), and freshman Ava Teti give the Tartans versatility and experience.

“Sami comes back with experience, Nana comes back with experience on the forward line and also has some midfield experience behind her,” said Bruvik, whose team fell 3-0 to South Hunterdon last Friday in its season opener. “Elaina has been playing very well on the forward line for us, earning her spot as a starter on the attack line. Betsy is up top, she is great at dropping back and giving us that bit of defensive mindset as well as moving the ball. She is strong on the ball and I can see a big difference in her play from last year when she had never played before. Sydney will play attack and bring back experience and speed to the forward line. Ava will help us on the forward line, she is an outside player. All of the attackers are doing their part.”

Senior Abby Chirik (3 goals) figures to be a catalyst this fall in the midfield.

“Abby is the engine, she is going to be connecting that backfield to our attack but she is also a finisher,” said Bruvik of Chirik who also stars for the Stuart basketball and lacrosse teams. “She scored the two goals in our scrimmage. I think Abby is going to be that facilitator of the attack. She has a nose for the goal too. In terms of fitness, she is great.”

Joining Chirik in the midfield will be sophomore Alex Janiszewski, sophomore Maddie Morrison, sophomore Zoe McDonald, and senior Gloria Wang.

“We have Alex in that left mid, she gives us that grit as well,” said Bruvik. “She is such a student of the game. She started last year so she brings a lot back. Maddie has great stickwork. She is smart on the ball. We have been playing her in the midfield. I am excited to see what she is going to do at the right mid. I am looking to see Zoe in the midfield or attacking position. Gloria will see time on both the attack and the midfield. We will take Gloria whenever we can, she is a nationally ranked figure skater.”

The Stuart back line will feature senior Jada Hutchinson, sophomore Karina Hannawacker, senior Hadelyn Martinez Cambero, and freshman Azara Broughton.

“Jada will 100 percent lead the defense, she is the one that gets that transition started,” said Bruvik. “Karina is a great kid, she will be in the backfield with Hadelyn. We will work with Azara to have her learn both sides, the left and the right, in the back.”

At goalie, senior Najima Tahiry has moved to that position as the Tartans look to fill the void left by the graduation of three-year starter Emily Harlan.

“Najima is just a selfless athlete; she knew Emily was graduating and that we needed a keeper,” said Bruvik. “Najima has embraced the position, she came in with a great mindset to learn the goalie position. She has got everything it takes. She is fearless, she is a great team leader. It is just going to be a matter of playing.

As Stuart plays more games this fall, Bruvik believes that the squad will get better and better.

“I think we will know more as our defense gets tested now that we have had the first few scrimmages,” said Bruvik, whose team hosts Steinert on September 10, plays at WW/P-South on September 12 and then hosts WW/P-North on September 15. “Offensively we demonstrated that we have done well keeping the ball at the attacking end at the field. We have to capitalize on our short corners when we get those opportunities. It just getting the younger kids to jell with those seniors.”