Newtown High School's field hockey team has had its hands full with tough competition and closely-contested contests that — with the exception of a 2-1 overtime win over Masuk of Monroe — have not gone their way. The Nighthawks, following a 2-0 loss to visiting Joel Barlow at Blue & Gold Stadium on September 23, dropped a 2-1 decision to Lauralton Hall of Milford at Treadwell Park the next afternoon.

Trailing 2-0 in the fourth quarter, the Hawks gave themselves a chance. Applying heavy pressure on the Lauralton goal, the Hawks earned a penalty stroke when a Lauralton Hall defender illegally stopped the ball behind the Lauralton goaltender. Charlotte Grasso scored on the penalty stroke and the Hawks had a shot. After staving off some Lauralton pressure behind the efforts of goaltender Stella Wasley (seven saves) and the Nighthawk defense, NHS went the other way to set up a chance but ran out of time.

"Even though the scores don't show it we're making progress every game. At this point that's all we can ask and hope that, eventually, it clicks," Newtown Coach Megan Goyda said. "We need to capitalize on our opportunities in the circle. We need to get more shots off."

The Nighthawks lost 4-1 to visiting Pomperaug of Southbury on September 28. Following a visit to Bethel Wednesday and a Thursday visit to Northwest Catholic, the Hawks return home to take on New Milford at Blue & Gold Stadium Monday, October 5 at 5:30 pm.

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