Newtown High School’s field hockey team defeated visiting New Fairfield 6-2 at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 7, and toppled host New Milford by the same score on October 13.

Against New Fairfield, Katie Goyda set the tone for the night when she sent a missile that hit the back of the net for an early 1-0 lead. New Fairfield held off the Nighthawk offense for the next ten minutes until Shannon Kelleher set up Brynn Reilly off a free hit, making it 2-0 going into halftime.

It was in the third quarter that Newtown pulled away. Goyda sent a backhand pass to Izzy Butler, who was left open at the corner of the cage, for a goal. Goyda then followed up with another one of her own. Three minutes later, Kelleher scored. With 2:37 left in the third quarter, Reilly was in the right place at the right time for another cross from Goyda to close out the scoring.

Maddy Twitchell and Jenna Reilly played great defense and made it very difficult for New Fairfield to create any offensive from their 25 yard line in on goal.

“I’m extremely happy with the way we played tonight. New Fairfield is really talented team and well coached. The last 15 minutes of the game I was able to play my juniors, who have so graciously taken a backseat this year so that we can create a great experience for our seniors, knowing this season could end any minute,” Coach Ellen Goyda said.

Newtown and New Milford, which beat NHS in last year’s conference playoffs, both came into the October 13 contest a perfect 4-0, but Newtown built on a 3-1 halftime lead on the way to another 6-2 triumph.

Butler netted two goals, Reilly had two goals and an assist, Reagan Schoen scored a goal and added an assist, and Goyda had a goal and distributed three assists.

“As expected, it was a tough battle of the undefeateds,” said Ellen Goyda, noting that it was a very physical game.

Coach Goyda said her team was prepared and ready to go, and that the girls applied everything they prepared for in practice. “So we were ready. Everyone played great,” the coach added.

Newtown, which nipped Pomperaug of Southbury 3-2 in the season opener, was scheduled to have a rematch with the Panthers on Wednesday, October 14 (Blue & Gold Stadium at 4:15 pm).