Cheshire broke a 1-1 stalemate with just 34 seconds remaining. Newtown High had an answer, converting off a penalty corner with no time remaining to force overtime in a November 13 Class L State Tournament field hockey semifinals, at neutral site Watertown High.

The Rams had the final answer, however, converting off a penalty corner of their own with 3:53 remaining in the first ten-minute, seven aside OT period for a dramatic 3-2 win.

“They definitely came out to score the goal in the final 34 seconds. I wish we could have finished in the overtime,” Newtown Coach Stephanie Kearns said. “But I think we played pretty competitively with Cheshire today.”

That is saying something given the Rams are the tourney’s top seed and went unbeaten in the regular season, allowing only one goal in 18 combined regular slate and Class L tourney contests; Newtown is the fifth seed.

Freshman Reagan Schoen got the ball deep off the final possession in regulation, and generated a penalty corner opportunity as the clock ticked down to all zeros. Games continue after regulation ends, on penalty corners, and Newtown capitalized.

Kat Trammel inserted the ball to Katie Goyda at the top of the circle. Goyda sent the ball to the far side where Kelleher sent a shot toward the goal and Schoen finished, sparking a celebration among those in blue and gold.

Cheshire’s Kiley Jackson redirected Anne Eddy’s shot off a corner in the extra period, ending Newtown’s season.

Eddy had given the Rams their late lead with a blast off a corner.

Cheshire scored just over a minute into the game and Newtown answered on an Izzy Butler cage-finder with 12:01 remaining in the first half.

Newtown goaltender Rebecca Filiato made a small handful of saves and had strong support from the defense.

Cheshire finished with a 9-8 edge in corners. Both teams had waves of pressure on offense throughout the game.

Kearns noted that the Nighthawks had tremendous contributions from all of her players and that she will miss the seniors, led by Kelleher.

“Her intensity, her drive, and her love of the sport is really going to be missed next year,” Kearns said.

Elizabeth Salley, Casey McLean, Jenna Gonski, Libby Poseno, Coleman, and Megan Fuchs are also seniors who will leave big shoes to fill.

Strong play up and down the lineup, as well as support from the bench helped carry the Hawks to a stellar season, with a 13-2 regular campaign mark.

“I think this team plays extremely well together and they find each other on the field. I look forward to seeing what they do next year.”