In each of the last four years, Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team has either won a conference championship or at least played in the pinnacle game, including last year when the Nighthawks fell to New Milford in the North Division’s pinnacle contest.

The returning players have not experienced much other than success during their NHS soccer tenures, and Coach Marc Kenney sees no reason why that should not continue as the Hawks try to go for conference and state championships.

The quest to be the best in the conference as well as at the state level will not be easy for a couple of reasons. Newtown will have to overcome everybody in the conference in the return to a traditional single champion setup following last year’s coronavirus-altered campaign. South Division winner Weston and runner-up Notre Dame-Fairfield are among the teams back on the schedule. Immaculate of Danbury is among the traditionally strong squads as well.

And Kenney will get back to a more intense approach the younger players may not be accustomed to, he said, now that a full season seems more likely than it did last fall.

“I think it’s going to be a little bit of a culture shock for them initially, and that’s a good thing,” Kenney said.

Three players graduated, and two were goalkeepers — Juliana Stavola and Alyssa Bailey. Emma Magazu, who was injured for much of last fall, also leaves shoes to fill. In another blow to the team, Erin Phaneuf, one of this year’s captains, is sidelined with an injury that might keep her off the pitch all season. Despite that, Phaneuf maintains a leadership role with the team.

“She’s been unbelievable. In some ways, I don’t know if I would have approached it with the same optimism,” Kenney said.

In addition to Phaneuf, captains are defenders Ally McCarthy and Elena Sughrue, along with forward Katie Rowan.

Center midfielder Riley Powers, whom Kenney said is among the best players in the conference, center middie Bella Gerace, and defenders Hannah Snayd and Lauren Jacobs all bring plenty of experience back to the field. Newtown’s defense is back intact

Madison Singlak and Ryann Heim-Sherwood are competing for the starting goalkeeping position.

The fitness level and chemistry are strengths of the team, Kenney believes.

“I really love these kids. They’re so great. They’ve done everything I’ve asked and more. This is super-exciting for me,” Kenney said. “Record aside, it’s going to be a great year — I know that.”

But a really good record and a return to the top will make the season that much better. It all gets started on Saturday, September 11, when nonconference team Naugatuck visits Blue & Gold Stadium for a 1 pm game.

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