There were plenty of victories on the field for Coach Maura Fletcher’s Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team.

And a notable win off the field for Fletcher, herself.

Newtown’s team leader earned the Connecticut High School Girls’ Lacrosse Association Coach of the Year Award for 2022. Selected by her peers, Fletcher also won this award in 2014.

The Nighthawks posted an impressive 14-1 record during the regular season but it was much more than the wins and losses that led to this accolade, Assistant Coach Lou Santoli believes.

“I think what got her this award was her ability to coach the girls that are here to their fullest potential,” said Santoli, adding that the Nighthawks had a small combined varsity/junior varsity program relative to past years, with only 25 players.

On paper, it was a rebuilding year of sorts as Newtown leaned on youth quite a bit this past spring with nearly half of the roster comprising freshmen, many of whom played key roles on the field. Fletcher’s Nighthawks did not miss a beat and got on a winning roll from the get-go.

Fletcher challenges her players each year with tough out-of-conference opponents, and this most recent campaign was no different. The Hawks defeated nonconference foes St Joseph of Trumbull and Cheshire each by a goal, and also defeated Conard and Glastonbury. Newtown went on to win its South-West Conference and state playoff openers before falling. The Nighthawks took eventual SWC champ New Fairfield into overtime before falling in a regular-season clash.

Santoli joined Fletcher’s staff only two years ago and said he came into a most welcoming environment.

“Maura’s not set in her ways. She’s very open to new ideas, new plays,” even given the established success and reputation of the program, which won ten consecutive conference titles culminating with the 2014 championship, Santoli said. “She’s a pleasure to work with.”

“It is really a joy to be recognized for hard work, especially when it is an award that comes from voting by your peers. We made a lot with a little this year with such a small roster. The last few years our numbers have really declined but looking at the numbers of players coming up from youth lacrosse, the program will rebuild in no time,” Fletcher anticipates.

The NHS coach appreciates the work of her assistants, including Santoli and Steph Suhoza, as well as team manager Lucy Kortze, who keeps score and tracks statistics at each game, along with the efforts of her players.

I have to acknowledge and thank my assistant coaches and players, for without them I would not be getting this award. They have truly made coaching an incredibly rewarding experience. I speak to my players about gratitude and how important it is to recognize gratitude, and acknowledge it. And lastly — and to me most importantly — is to appreciate it,” Fletcher said. “Trust me, I appreciate every day I get to work with these girls and make an impact on their lives.”

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