Ocean’s Bartlett Reaches Many Milestones Throughout her Career By Gia Fay

OCEAN – Morgan Bartlett’s success and impact on the Ocean Township girls lacrosse team has increased tremendously throughout her milestone-filled career. Throughout the years she has stepped up for her team, but none more than her senior season.
 “She is the type of player that her teammates and coaches depend on and look up to as a player. When there are big moments she rises to the occasion and does what her team needs,” said Ocean head coach Heather Krueger.  This season Bartlett averages four goals,two assists and 7.5 draw controls per game.  
Last season she set a new school record for single-season ground balls and then recently broke her own record for single-season draw controls. She also holds the record for goals scored in a single game and assists in a single game. She now holds the record for career assists. 
 “Morgan’s success is a tribute to her dedication to the sport, but also to her teammates. She is respected and admired by her teammates and she is successful in part due to their support, in addition to her hard work” continued Krueger. 
A key moment in her career that sticks out for her coaches and teammates was the 2018 Shore Conference quarterfinal victory over Colts Neck.
 “The best memory in lacrosse was the quarter final game last year against Colts Neck. We were down, 8-1, at the half and came back to win, 10-9,” said Bartlett.  
Of course she was a crucial piece in this game; taking control in the second half and scoring the opening goals to get the team going. Krueger remembers this game vividly. “We were not scoring, not playing well and at halftime we talked about someone stepping up and Morgan came out on fire in the second half. This was a pivotal time for her. She really stepped up as a leader and influenced her teammates to follow her lead.”  
As a midfielder she is called upon to play both offense and defense. Krueger said that Bartlett has grown as a lacrosse player through the years. “When I saw her tryout her freshman year, I noticed she had tremendous potential and was a player that was eager to learn and be coached. She has put in the hard work in the offseason and it has paid off.”  
One area that she has really honed in on is her ability to win the draw. Supported by her teammate, Taylor Herr, she is able to dominate on the draw circle. She is ranked in the top five in the state in this area.
Not only is Bartlett a force on the field, she is also a role model off the field. She is the epitome of a leader and pushes herself and her teammates to success.
 “When I think about a player being ‘coachable,’ Morgan immediately comes to mind. She possesses the determination and heart that any coach would want to have on their team. She has a fantastic attitude and takes criticism in stride and uses it to make herself better,” said Krueger. 
On April 27, Morgan scored four goals in Ocean’s win over Jackson Memorial. She converted a free position shot midway through the second half to record the 200th goal of her career. She finished the game with four goals, five assists and four draw controls. 
Bartlett is an active participant in many school activities and clubs. She is also a member of National Honor Society and a class officer. Bartlett is a multi-sport athlete, something that is hard to come by in today’s high school athletics. In addition to her lacrosse career, she was also a starter on the varsity soccer and basketball teams. She reached another milestone this winter – recording 1,000 points and ending her basketball career with 1,205 points. 
Bartlett will continue her lacrosse career at Monmouth University next season. “Morgan has the dedication and work ethic that will help her be successful in college,” said Krueger. “She will need to continue to work on advancing her skills and shot selection, but I have no doubt she will be successful and a pleasure to have on the Monmouth team.” 
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