Nighthawk Lacrosse Teams Begin SWC Title Defense

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s girls’ and boys’ lacrosse teams have a lot in common, but also have some vastly different traits as the 2010 campaign gets underway.

The girls’ team, coming off its fifth consecutive South-West Conference championship, returns most of its lineup from a year ago and, according to Coach Maura Fletcher, is the best Nighthawk team yet.

The boys, meanwhile, coming off their first SWC title, have a new look from the head coach on through much of the lineup.

Something this year’s teams have in common, in addition to being in position to defend conference crowns, is that both teams have the goal of repeating as champs.

The NHS girls lost four players and three starters to graduation — high-scorer Betsy Vendel, Jackie Isabella, goaltender Marnie Thompson, and Taylor Barry — but bring back a wealth of talent.

Among the returnees is attack player Meghan Bridges who played last spring, but not at full strength following an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Bridges is back to 100 percent this spring, Fletcher said.

Bridges, defensive leader Annie Fletcher, and Kaley Kruger are the senior captains.

Key returnees also include Megan Carney and Katie Canavan, Kaitlin Brophy and Betsy Vendel, all of whom should contribute significantly offensively.

“We’re looking to get a lot of scoring out of our midfield this year,” Fletcher said.

Defenders include Sam Dinnan, Steph Suhoza, and Kelly O’Connor — all returnees. Goaltenders Celeste Cheung and Jill Jague will compete for time protecting the nets.

The Nighthawks will face tough competition from Brookfield, New Milford and New Fairfield, but should again be at least among the favorites — if not the top pick among many — to win the SWC title.

“I think this is one of the strongest teams — unfortunately for the other teams in the SWC,” Fletcher said.

Newtown, after falling in the Division I State Tournament last spring, will also try to win state title this time around.

“I really want to make it as far as the state championship game this year,” Fletcher said.

The Hawks will have some difficult nonconference regular-season tests. They will face rematches with Cheshire, a team they beat by a goal last year, and Wilton and Glastonbury, teams they lost to.

Glenn Adams takes over for Brian Micena and looks forward to the challenges that go along with what is his first head coaching duty following a few seasons as an assistant in the area.

“He’s built a great program and I’m happy to take over and see what I can bring to the table — and hopefully take us to that next level where we’re competing for the SWC championship every year, at a high level,” Adams said.

The boys lost several starting players, including goaltender Clarence Cheung and high-scorers Kevin Canavan and Christian Beitel, who leave big shoes to fill on the offensive end, to graduation.

Despite this, Adams is confident in his team.

“I think we’re still at that top position where teams are going to being their ‘A’ game against us every week,” Adams said.

Brandon Body steps into the goaltending role and does a nice job communicating with the defense, the coach said. The team is deep at the midfield with Dan Sclafani, Will Northrop, Ryan Korth, Kyle O’Connor, and Dylan Huebner leading the way.

O’Connor and defensive standout Connor McNamara are the team’s senior captains.

Freshman Dan Hebert joins the attack. Returnees Lewis Thomson and Tim Dalton are expected to be key players for the Hawks.

New Fairfield, Weston, New Milford, and Joel Barlow of Redding are among the toughest SWC teams but Adams’ squad also stands to be among the best in the SWC. Defense is the strong suit of this team, the coach said.

“I think we’re going to be fine — just fine,” the coach said.

The boys begin the season Friday, April 9 at Notre Dame-Fairfield. The first home game is April 14 against Bunnell.