Megan Goyda has plenty of fond memories of playing field hockey at Newtown High School. The 2016 South-West Conference champion was back at Blue & Gold Stadium for her coaching debut at her old digs when the Brookfield Bobcats came to town on October 13. To make things all the more interesting, Goyda’s counterpart also happens to be her mom — Ellen Goyda.

Megan said that her familiarity with Newtown field hockey and experience in being a Nighthawk benefits her as a coach.

“I think it helps me a little bit because I know how they play,” Meagan said prior to the matchup, adding that she can apply that knowledge to try to win games. “They’re fast, aggressive — they don’t back down. Anything you throw at them, they’re going to hit you ten times harder.”

“Mommy makes adjustments,” Ellen responded during a midfield pregame interview with the Goydas.

Newtown went on to win the game 7-1. The Nighthawks have traditionally been among the best in the SWC and are one of the favorites for a title this fall. Brookfield went on to win seven games this fall, a feather in the program’s (and Megan’s) cap given the Bobcats did not win any games since 2018.

“That’s a testament to her knowledge of the game and how she delivers her message to the team,” Ellen said.

Megan gained a lot of her field hockey IQ from her mom. Between the two of them, there is a lot of field hockey experience to go around. Ellen played at Western Connecticut State University and has coached at the youth ranks as well as at the high school level.

“My mom was a supporter and now an enemy but taught me everything I know,” Megan said.

“Sometimes the teacher learns from the student,” said Ellen, referring to her daughter’s exposure to the game having played at Springfield College. “I’m always open to learning something new. Watching her come out of college with these new drills only makes me better.”

Among the things the teacher has picked up on from the student in this mother-daughter connection are some new formations and conditioning drills to give the Nighthawks a boost in explosiveness on the playing field.

Megan had a her collegiate career cut short by injury, but not before earning recognition with a spot on the All Academic National Field Hockey Coaches Association Team. An All State and All SWC selection, as well as recipient of the team’s Best Defender Award in 2016, Megan went on to earn a double major in Physical education and health education in college and is now teaching health education in Fairfield.

Megan said she is striving to get the most out of her players and focus on improving every day. “I believed in them from the start,” Megan said.

Her mom is proud and these accomplishments and looking forward to seeing where coaching takes her daughter.

“I’m excited to see her grow,” Ellen said.

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