Back-to-back shutout victories on the road, and wins in each of its last three games away from home bolstered Newtown High School's field hockey team's playoff hopes as the Nighthawks won six of their first nine games of the season.

The Nighthawks shut out Bethel 1-0 on September 29. Jordan Stofko scored and Emily Dirga had the assist. Two nights later, Newtown visited Brookfield and prevailed 3-0 as Lauren Zimmerman, Megan Kelleher, and Dirga all hit the back of the cage.

"Those were good games. They played with high intensity and played together," Newtown Coach Stephanie Kearns said.

Newtown got to the midpoint of the campaign with a 5-3 mark after falling 2-1 to visiting New Fairfield, at Treadwell Park, on October 4.

New Fairfield scored twice in the opening half and held on despite a valiant comeback effort by the Hawks. Zimmerman scored on a penalty stroke. The team's slow start proved costly, Kearns acknowledged.

"We didn't come out with the intensity we did in the second half, but we worked as a team and came back," Kearns said. "When we talk to each other we play with good intensity - we play our game."

The Hawks got back to their winning ways by blanking host Masuk of Monroe 3-0 on October 5. The Nighthawks will host Pomperaug of Southbury on Friday, October 7, in the first of three straight scheduled tilts at home; the game will take place at Treadwell Park, beginning at 3:45 pm.