Newtown High School’s girls’ lacrosse program begins the season with a small roster of 26 team members, a handful of whom are sidelined because of coronavirus protocol. On top of that, captain Shea Murphy is just getting back to training to rejoin the team following injury-related time away from sports.

The good news for Coach Maura Fletcher’s team is that, given the low numbers in the program this year, underclassmen will stand to benefit from shuttling between the varsity and junior varsity teams.

“It will be great for the younger players to get the experience,” Fletcher said while the team practiced at Treadwell Park on April 1.

But make no mistake about it, the Newtown coach’s goal is to compete for a South-West Conference championship, as always. In 2019, the Nighthawks fell to Pomperaug of Southbury in the SWC tournament semifinals.

Winners of each of the last two SWC championships, New Fairfield, along with Pomperaug and Joel Barlow of Redding stand to be the toughest competition, Fletcher said.

The Nighthawks will face New Fairfield twice in the regular season. Teams are limited to conference-only regular season, but the Newtown coach lined up preseason scrimmages with tough nonconference teams Wilton and Cheshire to help get the Hawks prepared for both the SWC and state playoffs.

Senior captains are midfielders Julia Gerace and Shea Murphy and defenders Emma Magazu and Olivia Buchler. The team’s other senior is Sara Miller.

Junior returnees are Elena Sughrue, Isabelle Butler, Gia Corso, Erin Phaneuf, and Shannon Kelleher.

Newcomers to varsity include Allie Bradley and Ella Gerace. Newtown’s goaltender is freshman Alex Manfredonia, whom Fletcher said looks very good in the cage, and is very poised for a freshman.

Defense is a strong point, as is experience for those returning to the lineup, Fletcher said.

Win or lose, the Nighthawks are pleased to have the opportunity to be out there.

“So happy to be playing. The girls are so excited to be back on the field. We know it’s just conference games, but happy to have anything,” said Fletcher, referring to last year’s canceled season.