Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team had quite a season, reaching the South-West Conference Tournament Championship game and earning the Class LL State Tournament’s No 5 seed and a first-round bye. It came to an end in a 4-0 loss to visiting Staples of Westport, a deceptive No 12 seed out of the FCIAC, in the second round on November 4.

“We had an amazing season — that’s the takeaway,” Newtown Coach Adam Bourret said. “In the end we just got a little tired and got paired up against some really good teams.”

The Nighthawks lost in the SWC’s pinnacle game to a Notre Dame Prep team that has reached four consecutive conference title games. And Staples finished behind only three tough conference and state-level teams in Greenwich, New Canaan, and St Joseph of Trumbull.

In the state playoff matchup, Staples struck early. A diving save by Nighthawk goalkeeper Elise Ansman kept it at 1-0 midway through the opening half. Newtown knocked on the door a couple times with Delia Stango, Makenzie Fregoe, and Olivia Fernandes creating chances. But the visiting Wreckers tacked on two more opening-half tallies and pulled away. Staples used quick ball movement and crisp passing to set up and cash in on scoring chances.

Bourret will miss the team’s seniors.

“They’re all special in their own unique way. It’s always tough to see the class go,” he said.

“I think it was a really good season,” said senior Taylor LeRow, adding that the cohesiveness of the upperclassmen combined with the chemistry of the team’s large freshman class came together nicely this fall.

“I’m going to miss it. It’s a weight off my shoulders but it’s going to take some getting used to. It was my life for a really long time,” LeRow said.

The impact of the team’s leaders stands to benefit the program for years to come, and with a strong freshman class in the fold this experience should benefit the Hawks as they march on.

“The future’s bright,” Bourret said.

Bourret earned the SWC’s Coach of the Year recognition after guiding the Nighthawks to an 11-1-1 mark in conference play and 15 wins overall.

“It’s not me, it’s the team — they put in all the work,” said Bourret, who completed his third year with the team. The coach’s style is based on “mostly positivity, keeping their spirits up, and grinding through adversity.”

“He’s the one who brings everyone together and had everybody working as a team,” said senior Ana Morris, who shared captain duties with sister Leah Morris and Grace Newsom.

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