A visit from nonconference foe Branford provided a tough start to the season for the defending South-West Conference Champion and somewhat new-look Newtown High School field hockey team in a 5-0 decision under the lights at Blue and Gold Stadium on September 2.

But within the loss was a win of sorts given the team stands to benefit from facing such competition.

“Branford’s very good. They consistently are good every year. I’d rather play tough teams and get tough losses than play easy teams and not learn anything,” said NHS Coach Megan Goyda, adding that the Nighthawks learned a lot in their opener.

Better passing, keeping the ball closer to the stick, not holding onto the ball for one-too-many stick handles, and overall defense are all areas in which Goyda would like to see her team improve.

“We have the talent. We just have to figure out how to make it click,” the coach said.

The Nighthawks had strong play from midfielders Evelynn Schoen, Kaitlyn Doyle, Kayla Locke, and Kaylin Pimentel before she took a hard-hit ball to the knee and exited the game late in the first half.

Down 2-0 late in the second quarter the Nighthawks had a flurry of chances, including a few penalty corner opportunities, but could not cash in. The visiting Hornets scored less than a minute out of the halftime break and pulled away.

The start to the season does not stand to get much easier with a visit to Daniel Hand of Madison, a squad the Hawks lost to in overtime last year, on Friday, September 5, at 6:30 pm followed by quick turnaround with more travel — a trek to Groton to take on Fitch at noon the next day. Newtown’s first SWC tilt is Wednesday, September 10, when Immaculate of Danbury visits at 7 pm. Other challenging nonconference games on the schedule include Morgan of Clinton, Lauralton Hall of Milford, Northwest Catholic of West Hartford, and Trumbull.

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