By Kim J. Harmon

By KIM HARMON

Published: Apr 11, 2000 12:00 am

By Kim J. Harmon

CHESHIRE â Caitlin Collier and Sarah OâSullivan have wasted little time flexing their collective offensive might, combining for 20 goals (seven for Collier and 13 for OâSullivan) while leading the Nighthawks to a 2-1 record in the early stages of the 2000 season.

That makes an incredible 80 career goals for Collier and 54 more for OâSullivan, officially making the duo the first- and second-most prolific scorers in the history of the Newtown girlsâ lacrosse program (their coach, Sara Patrick, once the career leader, now drops to fifth-place all-time).

So, even though the âHawks certainly miss the presence of players like Kate Schwerin and Lindsay Korotash, their absence certainly hasnât slowed the offense down one whit . . . even though it took about 20 minutes or so in that season opener to finally get going.

Besting Their

Rivals - Again

One of the Nighthawksâ best rivalries year in and year out has been with Cheshire and a tussle between the two goals almost always turns into a good game. Last Friday afternoon in Cheshire was no exception.

While the âHawks were explosive and struck quickly whenever they held the ball, the Rams were a patient and possessive team content to wait for their opportunities. While the Newtown defense was on guard for a very long period of time in this game, it never buckled and allowed Collier and OâSullivan to win the game with their blistering attack.

Collier and OâSullivan scored four goals apiece and Erin McDonald added one to lead the âHawks to a 9-5 win.

Collier opened the scoring just a few minutes into the game, exposing a defensive weakness and sliding easily to the front of the net for a goal. OâSullivan quickly followed with her first goal after a penalty and the âHawks were ahead 2-0.

The Rams were not about to let it go that easily, though. They quickly answered just a moment after the ensuing faceoff to trim the Newtown lead to 2-1. Collier came back with her second goal and the Rams had another quick answer and all of a sudden the âHawks led 3-2.

Even though the âHawks had trouble gaining possession of the ball in the first half â and sustaining that possession â once they managed to cradle and protect the ball, however, there was little the Rams could do to slow the Newtown offense down.

It was Collier who put the âHawks ahead, 4-2. She took a pass from OâSullivan behind the cage and curled in front of the crease. She fought off the Cheshire defense and whipped a shot over her shoulder to the top of the net for the score.

And thatâs how the half ended.

The Rams tied the score in the early stages of the second half, though, taking advantage of a penalty and some sluggish play (it seemed like the âHawks just couldnât get a good transition going from defense to offense).

But the Newtown offense wasnât nothing if not persistent. Midway through the second half, Collier set up at the top of the circle following a shooting space penalty. She got a clear shot on goal, but was stuffed. She picked up the rebound from behind the cage and quickly wristed a pass to McDonald who turned it into a goal and a 5-4 Newtown lead.

That seemed to loosen things up. OâSullivan scored twice in succession (the second time off a nice feed from Kate Ryan) and Collier (off a great pass from Emily Sheehan) added her fourth goal of the afternoon to lift the âHawks to an 8-4 advantage. Even though Cheshire got one back, OâSullivan finished things off with her fourth goal with under a minute to go.

It was a win the Nighthawks needed one day after suffering a tough, 12-11, loss to Staples of Westport at Bruce Jenner Stadium. It was a close finish, but the âHawks had to rally back from a deep deficit to make it so.

âI was very impressed with the comeback,â said coach Patrick.

OâSullivan scored six goals for Newtown while Collier added two goals and two assists. MdDonald, Ryan, and Katherine Moberg all scored goals while Lisa DiConstanzo added an assist for fuel the Newtown offense.

In a 9-2 win over New Milford on Tuesday - the only NHS contest not to be postponed because of the inclement weather - OâSullivan and McDonald scored three goals apiece while Collier, Ryan and Jen Logan all had one apiece.

The âHawks were scheduled for a trip to Windsor on Friday and a home game on Tuesday against Ridgefield.

ALL-TIME SCORING LEADERS

Prior to 2000

No.Â Â Â PLAYERÂ Â Â Â GOALS

Â 1.Â Â Â Caitlin CollierÂ Â Â Â Â 74

Â 2.Â Â Â Â Carolyn AndersÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â 50

Â 3.Â Â Â Â Kathryn KoonceÂ Â Â Â Â Â 50

Â 4.Â Â Â Â Sara PatrickÂ Â 47

Â 5.Â Â Â Sarah OâSullivanÂ Â 44

Â 6.Â Â Â Â Lindsay KorotashÂ Â Â Â 39

Â 7.Â Â Â Â Carrie DiSetteÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 39

Â 8.Â Â Â Â Kate SchwerinÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 34

Â 9.Â Â Â Â Courtney JacksonÂ Â Â Â 31

10.Â Â Â Â Caity Brower 31

11.Â Â Â Â Dana RundlofÂ 26

12.Â Â Â Â Kate ZimmermanÂ Â Â Â Â 25

13.Â Â Â Â Meg SmialowskiÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â 24

14.Â Â Â Â Â Â Beth BottrillÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 24

15.Â Â Â Â Â Â Colleen PickwickÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 22

16.Â Â Â Â Â Â Rebecca McDonaldÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 18

17.Â Â Â Â Â Â Karlyn BrochuÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 18

18.Â Â Â Â Â Â Dee BreitweiserÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 15

19.Â Â Â Â Â Â Lauren McEvoyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12

20.Â Â Â Â Â Â Christina HolmesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12

21.Â Â Â Â Â Â Karyn PrivalskyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11

22.Â Â Â Â Tate HoeffelÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10

23.Â Â Â Â Katherine MobergÂ Â Â Â 10

24.Â Â Â Â Â Â Jenna JonesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10

25.Â Â Â Â Â Â Meg EckleÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10

26.Â Â Â Â Â Â Tanya SchlumpÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10

27.Â Â Â Â Â Â Melissa ArayaÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9

28.Â Â Â Â Â Â Serena ChenÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9

29.Â Â Â Â Â Â Kristen BeerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9

30.Â Â Â Â Â Â Jill PrivalskyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9

31.Â Â Â Â Â Â Jill WestÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8

32.Â Â Â Â Â Â Robin BottrillÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8

33.Â Â Â Â Â Â Marissa MillerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7

34.Â Â Â Â Â Â Katie BurnsÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7

35.Â Â Â Â Â Â Amy KrullÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6

36.Â Â Â Â Â Â Kate NorvellÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6

37.Â Â Â Â Â Â Jen McDonaldÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5

38.Â Â Â Â Kate RyanÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4

39.Â Â Â Â Â Â Moira CurranÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3

40.Â Â Â Â Â Â Shannon EsareyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3

41.Â Â Â Â Â Â Amy BradfieldÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3

42.Â Â Â Â Â Â Juliana SchwerinÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3

43.Â Â Â Â Amanda DeweyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3

44.Â Â Â Â Â Â Jen FarrellÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3

45.Â Â Â Â Â Â Dana HenryÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3

46.Â Â Â Â Lisa DiConstanzoÂ Â Â Â Â Â 2

47.Â Â Â Â Â Â Angie NorvellÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2

48.Â Â Â Â Â Â Candy PaniguttiÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2

49.Â Â Â Â Â Â Diane FinneganÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1

50.Â Â Â Â Â Â Laura GiesenÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1

51.Â Â Â Â Â Â Becky RaidersÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1

52.Â Â Â Â Â Â Helene PowersÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1

53.Â Â Â Â Â Â Kerry MurrayÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1

The Way We Were

Thomas J. Hardiman Jr

Borough Of Newtown To Host Elections Monday, May 5

Top Of The Mountain

Newtown Resident To Receive 2025 Heart Of Women Award

The voters certainly spoke — and I respect the outcome — but let’s not forget that a “majority” doesn’t mean everyone agreed. Many of us are deeply concerned about the rising cost of living here. Supporting schools and services is important, but so is ensuring that residents can afford to stay in the town they love. We all want Newtown to be a great place to live, but lately, it’s starting to feel less like “Nicer in Newtown” and more like “More Expensive in Newtown.” That’s not sustainable, and it’s not a criticism of the town itself — it’s a call for responsible budgeting and long-term planning that doesn’t rely on tax increases year after year. I hope future decisions will reflect not just the desire to maintain services, but also the need to ease the financial burden on residents.

Budget, Capital Projects Pass: Officials Respond

I appreciate the passion behind this message, and I absolutely understand the desire to invest in our town. That said, I voted no — not because I don't care about Newtown, but because I do. Fiscal responsibility is not about ignoring problems, it’s about making sure we address them in a sustainable and transparent way. It’s frustrating to feel like every year there’s a new “urgent” reason to raise taxes, with little serious effort to curb spending or prioritize needs. I worry this just sets the stage for another round of increases next year. That doesn't mean I’m against education, safety, or our town’s future — it means I believe in accountability and in asking tough questions about how our money is managed. Voting no wasn't a rejection of Newtown — it was a call for more thoughtful, balanced leadership. I hope future conversations can include all perspectives, not just those willing to write a bigger check.

The Voters Chose Newtown

The voters spoke, loud and clear that they support our schools and municipal services. The majority vote was a mandate to keep delivering well rated education services and keep it" Nicer in Newtown."

Great effort by the those who attended to shine a light on the attacks on Democracy. Thanks for the article so all can understand whats happening.

Hundreds Attend ‘Rock This Democracy’ Rally

Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.

Discusses Role As Registrar

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By Kim J. Harmon

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