After getting the Brookfield High program turned around — and earning Connecticut High School Coaches Association Class M Coach of the Year accolades in 2022 — Newtown’s own Megan Goyda looks to bring her magic coaching touch to her high school alma mater.

Goyda, a 2017 Newtown High School graduate and defender on the 2016 South-West Conference championship team, went on to attend Springfield College and continued her field hockey career before being sidelined by injuries. Goyda, who earned a double major in physical education health and is a health teacher in the Fairfield school system, coached each of the last two seasons at Brookfield. She led the Bobcats to seven wins in her first season and ten regular-season triumphs and qualifying for the postseason and defeating Newtown in the SWC Tournament the next season.

“When she applied for our job I was so happy,” said Newtown High Athletic Director Matt Memoli, adding that the field hockey coaching position has been the toughest of all of the sports to fill. “Field hockey’s not a sport a lot of people know about.”

Likewise, Goyda is super-thrilled about the opportunity to coach her old high school team and bringing her expertise of the game to the Blue & Gold. “It’s like the literal dream,” she said days after being named the head coach in late June. “It’s sort of like a full circle moment. I’m excited. It’s good to be home.”

Goyda succeeds John Savage, who went on to be an assistant coach at Trumbull High following a year leading the Nighthawks. He took over for Ellen Goyda, Megan’s mom, who stepped away from the Nighthawks for more opportunity to watch Megan’s sister, Katie, play at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. Ellen continues to coach youth field hockey players in town, and the Goyda link between the elementary and middle school players to the high school program stands to be very strong, Memoli believes.

“Just having them work together for that feeder program is awesome,” the AD said. “They’re so indebted to this community. I think the field hockey community is benefitting.”

“I can’t wait to see what she brings to the program,” said Ellen, adding that Megan is backed by the school system. “They’ve known her since she was 15 years old and they know she’s committed.”

During her playing days, Megan earned a spot on the All Academic National Field Hockey Coaches Association Team. An All State and All SWC selection, as well as recipient of the team’s Best Defender Award in 2016, she also played softball and was part of Newtown’s 2015 and ‘16 SWC championship squads.

Beyond the winning side of things, Megan wants there to be a great atmosphere for her players and create a culture in which the players have fun and share the same goal of having success on the field.

The Newtown program has been among the better ones in the SWC throughout the years, including winning the 2021 championship. Megan wants the team to embrace being the team to beat. “We are top dog,” she said.

And on top of that is the teaching aspect. Helping others succeed is enjoyable for this coach/teacher.

“I love seeing that ‘ah ha’ moment for kids when it finally clicks,” she said.

“I’m so excited for her and I’m more excited for the kids, that they’ll have someone that’s consistent,” said Ellen, adding that her daughter also brings current knowledge of the game having played field hockey within the past small handful of years. “I’m excited for the program because she’ll be there a while.”

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