Sports

Late Goal By Ruddy Lifts Nighthawk Lacrosse Team To Victory, Showcases Chemistry In Midfield

By Andy Hutchison

Published: May 09, 2026 7:00 am

A clutch goal by Sara Ruddy broke a tie with only 12 seconds left, sending Newtown High School's girls' lacrosse team to a thrilling 10-9 victory over visiting Joel Barlow of Redding on a rainy April 30 evening at Blue & Gold Stadium. The goal was assisted by Natalie McLean, and made for a memorable highlight featuring the midfield tandem that is a new duo this spring.

Ruddy's speed was needed on defense last season. Graduation of some of Newtown's top midfielders/attack players left voids Ruddy has helped fill, joining McLean as one of the team's top scoring threats from the midfield. They combined for seven goals and four assists in the win over Barlow, with McLean registering three goals, four assists and Ruddy recording four goals. The teammates often find each other on the field, including on that decisive tally. "It's been huge," NHS Coach Steph Suhoza said of the connection in the midfield.

"We have really good chemistry. We've been playing like that all year," McLean said.

"It was amazing — so exciting," added Ruddy, noting that the Nighthawks picked up the play as a team in the second half.

Nicki Kaplan, Blake Heim-Sherwood, and Peyton Merrifield all scored. Sherwood had an assist and led the way with three ground ball scoops, and goaltender Emily Sachs made nine saves.

"Really great team win, a thrilling win against a great Barlow team," Suhoza said. "Great way to finish. I'm really proud of the way we were able to close things out." That closeout included a stop on defense after Barlow gained control of the last draw.

Newtown hosted Cheshire in a nonconference game on May 2 and lost 13-7. Newtown was within 7-4 late in the first half before seeing the Rams reel off four straight goals to carry an 11-4 advantage into the break. Cheshire scored again in the third quarter for a 12-4 lead, but Newtown kept battling. It was 12-5 headed to the fourth and the Hawks gained some momentum, cutting the lead to 12-7 with 8:30 left. Sachs made a save with seven-plus minutes remaining, and the Nighthawks had a chance to get even closer but were denied.

"I love how they fought 'til the very end. They never gave up on themselves or each other," said Suhoza, adding that an area of improvement needs to be in valuing possession a bit better.

Kaplan and Sherwood both scored twice and Gabby O'Sullivan, McLean, and Ruddy also hit the net. McLean had an assist and four draw controls. Delia Stango logged a trio of ground balls. Sachs was credited with 20 saves, a baker's dozen of them in the second half when the Hawks limited the Rams to just two tallies.

The Cheshire game was physical at times and provided the Nighthawks with a taste of the high-level of competition they will see when the playoffs roll around. "It makes you stronger and tougher at the end of the day," Suhoza said.

The Nighthawks supported two important causes, the Alex Archie Foundation and 15 For Life Foundation, both of which have a mission to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Newtown visited New Milford and won 17-1 on May 5. McLean, Kaplan, Heim-Sherwood, Ruddy, Olivia Verdi, Merrifield, Sadie Singlak, Stango, Elise Ansman, Caitlyn Brosius, and Claire Campbell all found the back of the net. Sachs made seven saves. Defense standouts were Kayla Locke, Audrey McLean, Madi Weston, Cam Stewart, and Stango. NHS improved to 7-5 overall.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.

Sara Ruddy, right, goes for the ball off a draw against Cheshire on May 2. In the game before, a 10-9 win over visiting Joel Barlow on April 30, Ruddy netted the decisive tally in the waning seconds. —Bee Photos, Hutchison

Delia Stango, left, uses her speed to get past a defender.

Gabby O’Sullivan unleashes a shot on goal in defensive traffic.

Natalie McLean, middle, gets by opposing players near the sideline.

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Well that is some spin. The Democrats have a super majority on the LC and passed the Education Budget without serious consideration of if the voters could afford the multi million dollar increase. "Was the request justified?" rather than "is this needed?" and "can the voters shoulder yet another large increase?" The voters rightly sent it back. Then for some reason all the discussion around reductions to the increase seemed to be coming from the classroom, rather than administration and overhead costs. Is this a coercive tactic to manipulate parents into supporting the budget like tacit threat of cutting freshman sports was two years ago? Who believes the Democrats did not caucus privately before the meeting and came in with a number already worked out? This is the Dems budget, they own it.

Education Cuts: Who Voted For What

I think it is important that we do not villainize every black box seen around a home, business, farm, or municipal property. A black exterior station does not always mean rat poison is being used. These stations can hold a number of different products, including monitoring blocks, snap traps, non-toxic bait, anti-tick bait stations, organic salt- or cornmeal-based control products, and newer fertility-control approaches intended to reduce rodent populations without traditional poisons. The better conversation, in my opinion, is not simply “black boxes are bad,” but rather: what is inside them, who is maintaining them, and whether the rodent issue is being managed responsibly. Exclusion, sanitation, trapping, habitat reduction, and careful monitoring should all be part of a responsible IPM strategy. To be fair, on my own property I do use rodenticides, including Bromethalin and Bromadiolone, in secured bait stations. But that is a choice I make for my property, based on my circumstances and the risk I am trying to manage. I also believe property owners should understand the tradeoffs and be encouraged to use the least harmful effective method whenever possible. I support protecting Newtown’s wildlife. I also support giving residents accurate information and not assuming that every black box represents reckless or unsafe pest control. The goal should be responsible rodent management, not fear of the box itself.

Discusses Policy Against Rodenticides

Debora, thank you! I accidentally doubled the project prices by adding the bond to the appropriation. Thank you so much for catching that and pointing it out. With the corrected numbers, the voters approved a combined $1.32 million for a salt shed ($600k) and library pavement ($720k), while rejecting the $1.12 million replacement turf. Regarding the 80s, I truly respect the hurdle of 14% mortgage rates. My point is simply that the math has shifted: in 1980, while the rates were higher, the price of a home relative to earnings was significantly lower. We are facing a different, but equally crushing, financial wall. Ultimately, it is disheartening that voters who recognized safe sidewalks and parking lots as essential, dismissed a playing field in the exact same condition. The turf has passed its life cycle and is just as much of a liability as the library’s pavement, the only difference is that this safety concern affects thousands of children who, coincidentally, cannot vote. These are apples-to-apples needs. I was hopeful our community would agree that all Newtown residents deserve safe conditions, regardless of which facility they utilize. Again, I would be remiss not to mention that when 82% of residents don’t show up, we have to deal with the interests of those who did. Hopefully, the next referendum will have a bigger turnout.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Thanks for the reply. I meant the numbers you presented in your letter. I found one place where other numbers were listed: https://www.newtownbee.com/04232026/get-out-and-vote-on-the-2026-27-proposed-municipal-and-school-budgets/?q=\\\%22advisory%20questions\\\%22. In that article, the numbers were cited as: Treadwell field: $1,125,000 Library: $720,000 Salt Storage: $600,000 As one who started out in the early 80's when inflation was double digits, my 1985 mortgage rate was 14%, and child care costs were comparable (in present value), I shared your grief but never considered the voters ironic or shameful. PS. I agree college tuition is ridiculous. Thankfully, universities are offering (or considering) waiving all or most tuition for middle class families (upwards of $200,000 incomes). Hopefully, they'll also reconsider their need for those funds in the first place.

Sure! Child care costs: https://www.ffyf.org/2022/10/13/data-child-care-prices-continue-to-rise-ahead-of-midterm-elections-outpacing-inflation/ (also from 2021-2025 we had 2 children in a local daycare in Newtown and it cost us $3200 a month, so that's a number I am very familiar with) Home price / median price vs income source: https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/home-price-income-ratios Tuition increase vs inflation: https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/noting-a-decline-in-middle-class-students-colleges-provide-more-aid/ Hope this helps :)

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Late Goal By Ruddy Lifts Nighthawk Lacrosse Team To Victory, Showcases Chemistry In Midfield

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