Newtown High School’s field hockey team will have a much different look this fall. In addition to Ellen Goyda taking over head coaching duties, the roster experienced quite an overhaul with the loss of 13 players to graduation, seven of whom were starters.

“That’s a big hole to fill,” Goyda noted.

What’s more, many of the returnees are taking on new roles, with players shifting to different positions to help fill needs.

“I know these kids from when they were younger and I know what they’re capable of,” said Goyda, who coached several of the upperclassmen in the town’s youth program when they were in middle school.

The player she knows best, of course, is daughter Katie Goyda, who set scoring records for the Nighthawks last fall and has been recruited to play at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.

The coach anticipates Katie getting a lot of attention from opposing players.

“That’s okay because I think she needs to be challenged and I think it’s going to open up the field,” said Ellen Goyda, adding that Katie will move from forward to midfield this fall.

Captains are midfielders Jillian Clure and Goyda. Other key players to watch include midfielders Sarah Kick and Jenna Reilly, defenders Maddie Twitchell and Shannon Kelleher, and forwards Izzy Butler and Reagan Schoen. Rebecca Filiato will be the last line of defense in goal.

Abby Poseno, Sara Miller, Molly Sullivan, Victoria Stevenson, Cameron Powers, Brynn Reilly, and Sara Savanelli are seniors who are expected to help the Hawks.

Newtown’s somewhat abbreviated schedule includes games with select South-West Conference teams, including some of the traditionally best in the SWC, Pomperaug of Southbury, New Milford, and New Fairfield. There will not be conference or state playoffs this season; teams will engage in a postseason experience that is yet to be determined. The schedule adjustments are a product of the impact of the coronavirus.

“Winning is not going to be our priority but it’s in all of them,” Goyda said of her players. “They all agree they want to win. Our goal is to give the seniors the best experience we can with the limitations we have.”

The season is set to begin Thursday, October 1, with a visit to Pomperaug at 4:30 pm. NHS will host Brookfield on Saturday, October 3, at 6 pm.