By Kim J. Harmon

T

he first step was making it to the CIAC state tournament in 1998.

The second step was returning in 1999.

Now the third step – other than avoiding Greenwich, the team that knocked the Nighthawks out of the tournament both seasons – is to make it past the first game and deep into the CIAC state tournament.

And new coach Sara Patrick thinks she has just the team to do it.

Sure, there is no denying the fact that the ‘Hawks lost some pretty important people – Lindsay Korotash and Kate Schwerin (the captains), Marissa Miller, Amanda Dewey and Helene Powers come readily to mind.

But the returnees are good.

Real good.

The attack, of course, starts with Caitlin Collier and Sarah O’Sullivan, the ‘Hawks two leading scorers from 1999. Two of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of the program, Collier – a second-team All-State selection in 1999 – tossed in an amazing 59 goals in ’99 (giving her 74 for her career, a new school record which she will continue to push higher) and O’Sullivan added 41.

And when those two are not scoring, coach Patrick will be looking at Katherine Moberg and Sage Huskins for some offense.

“I think we’ll see a lot of action out of (those girls),” said coach Patrick. “They can all definitely score.”

But while this team may continue to be explosive on offense, it will not be a solely offensive team. Coach Patrick is also excited about her defense and said people like Emily Sheehan, Catherine Foster, Lisa DiConstanzo and Beth Winton will probably dominate on that end of the field.

The middle of the field, meanwhile, which was anchored so well by Schwerin and Korotash a year ago, will be the baliwick of players like Kate Ryan and Tate Hoeffel. Ryan has the speed, coach Patrick said, while Hoeffel is skilled and flexible enough to play in several different positions.

“I think it’s a pretty well-balanced team, right now,” said coach Patrick.

Can this well-balanced team return Newtown to the CIAC state tournament for a third consecutive season? The ‘Hawks began to answer that question on Thursday with their season-opener against the Staples Wreckers at the stadium.

Should they make it as far as the state tournament again, their sights will be set higher than the first round.

“Our goal is to get to the states,” said coach Patrick, “and make it as far as we can.”

The ‘Hawks certainly have the offense and the defense to get there and make some noise. And with Collier having an opportunity to become the first female and only second player ever to score 100 goals in a career, this should be a fun season on the lacrosse field.

DATE        OPPONENT    H/A

April 6           Staples                     H

April 7           Cheshire                  A

April 11         New Milford              A

April 14         Windsor                   A

April 18         Ridgefield                 H

April 25         Guilford                   H

April 29         Canterbury               A

May 1            West Haven             H

May 5            Staples                     A

May 6            Hand                        A

May 9            Mercy                       H

May 11          Darien                      A

May 13          Ridgefield                 A

May 15          Guilford                   A

May 16          Danbury                   H

May 23          New Milford             H