Four years ago, after the Sandy Hook tragedy, Jim Blaess, girls' soccer coach at Portsmouth High School in Rhode Island, reached out to Newtown and Marc Kenney, coach of Newtown High School's girls' soccer team. Soon thereafter, Kenney's Nighthawks visited Rhode Island, playing a game against Portsmouth, and visiting Newport during the stay as part of Blaess's reach-out and invitation.

A year later, Kenney reciprocated and Newtown hosted Portsmouth. The tradition has continued every year, with each school alternating as the host, and both Kenney and Blaess plan to keep this going for years to come.

"We just hit it off so we kept it going since," Kenney said.

Originally a regular-season game, this was annual matchup was made a Labor day Weekend scrimmage last year, allowing the visiting team to have an extra day off before resuming with regular routines back home. The visits have evolved to involve other teams so the visitor gets to play twice. This past weekend, Blaess's squad took on Immaculate High School at Newtown High's Blue & Gold Stadium, then the Newtown and Portsmouth players went to Candlewood East Marina in Brookfield for time to interact and bond before they scrimmaged.

"The next day they compete hard against each other on the field," Blaess said.

The coaches point out that they have similar approaches and that the teams are competitive against each other, making for a good season tune-up.

"Over the time Marc and I have become good friends," Blaess said.

"It's only getting better and better every year," said Blaess, noting that in addition to more teams getting involved, the student-athletes are creating bonds.

Kenney and Blaess said it took a little more time for the opposing players to break the ice at when they first met, but over time, as the tradition continues, the players have become more comfortable with the interaction.

"I think it's a really good opportunity to meet different people and have a friendship outside of competition," Newtown goalkeeper Haley Taylor said.

"It's awesome to have that bond with someone from a different state," said Newtown defender Camryn Cicarelli said. "Each year it gets better and better."

Not only is this annual event a chance for the opposing players to socialize, but the travel and visit to Newport offers Kenney's team an opportunity to build camaraderie.

"It's a great team bonding opportunity," Kenney points out.