Newtown High School's field hockey team had a tough test to begin the slate and the Nighthawks scored a hard-earned 3-2 victory at Pomperaug of Southbury on October 1. NHS followed up that win with a pair of blowout victories to start a new-look season featuring an abundance of new players following the loss of most of last year's lineup to graduation, new Head Coach Ellen Goyda, and a switch from two halves to four quarters.

The Hawks dominated the offensive play early on against Pomperaug but fell behind 1-0 before drawing even on Katie Goyda's goal off a penalty corner, making it 1-1 at halftime. Pomperaug retook the lead but Newtown fought back to tie the score at 2-2 when Izzy Butler took the ball the length of the field and crossed to Brynn Reilly who redirected to Reagan Schoen for the goal. With 1:20 left on the clock, Goyda scored off a corner with an assist from Maddy Twitchell to seal the win.

Jenna Reilly and Victoria Stevens both played outstanding defensive games, breaking up many of Pomperaugs offensive transitions, Coach Ellen Goyda said.

"Our whole team really contributed today and I was very happy with what I saw. Especially since this was our first time on the field with no scrimmages to help us prepare. Sarah Kick, Shannon Kelleher, Jillian Clure, Maggie LaBlanc, Molly Sullivan, and Sarah Savenelli all played tough throughout," Coach Goyda said.

The Nighthawks celebrated Senior Night with an 8-1 triumph over Brookfield, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on October 3. Molly Sullivan, Sara Miller, Cameron Powers, Katie Goyda, Sarah Kick, Jillian Clure, Rebecca Filiato, Sarah Savenelli, Abby Poseno, Victoria Stevenson, Jenna Reilly, Brynn Reilly, and Noel Salley were all recognized.

"They all played ample time and every single one of them touched the ball," Coach Goyda said.

Goyda had four goals and an assist, Kick scored two goals and had an assist, Brynn Reilly and Cam Powers both scored, and Clure added an assist.

Newtown toppled host Watertown 9-0 on October 5. Coach Goyda noted that Watertown packed the offensive circle with most of their players making it difficult for Newtown to penetrate to goal. For most of the game, that strategy worked for Watertown holding Newtown to only two goals for most of the half, the third coming only seconds before the half ended on a penalty stroke from Goyda, the coach said.

Goyda's first of two goals came from a flick to the corner of the cage from high on the circle. In the last seven minutes of the game, the Nighthawks scored five goals, three by Reilly and a pair of the three scored in the game by Shannon Kelleher. Schoen also scored, Goyda had a pair of assists, and Reilly, Schoen, and Izzy Butler each had an assist.