Girls' hockey has grown significantly throughout the state in recent years, and now Newtown is getting in on the fast-paced action.

Newtown High School is part of a three-school co-op led by Masuk of Monroe, and including players from Joel Barlow of Redding.

Two Nighthawks - Sarah Hornby and Bridget Nicholson - are hitting the ice and joining the Panthers this winter.

Both only started playing the game this year, but are making great strides as the regular season fast approaches.

"This is my first time ever playing for a team," Nicholson said. "The team's great. Everybody is very supportive of each other."

Nicholson, a freshman, said she was encouraged to play by Paul Esposito, a Newtown Middle School teacher and NHS boys' hockey head coach.

"So I'm very thankful to him," Nicholson said. "It's really fun."

"Being on the ice is a lot of fun," Hornby adds. "I love being with my teammates and being out on the ice showing what we do in practice.

The team plays its home games at The Rinks at Shelton, and the puck drops on the Masuk co-op's first varsity campaign Tuesday, December 13, when the Panthers visit West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy at Bennett Rink for a 7:30 pm faceoff. The next game is the home opener when Trumbull-St Joseph visits the Rinks at Shelton on Friday, December 16 for a 4 pm start.

"I'm so excited," said Hornby, adding that she's been looking forward to playing in games since Newtown High School Athletic Director Matt Memoli helped coordinate Newtown's involvement with the team. "I was really excited when Mr Memoli said we could join the co-op."

It's a big year for the hockey program. During the past few seasons, since the co-op was established as a club team, the Panthers have made strides on and off the ice. This year, the team is making its biggest jump yet, playing a varsity schedule for the first time.

"I'm very excited. I've watched the team grow from a club to JV last year, and now varsity," said captain and goaltender Bella Medaris, a Masuk student. "I think we have a really great group of girls and I think we have what it takes to make the team varsity-worthy."

"It's exciting because the girls have put in a lot of effort over the last couple of years to get to this point," Coach Andy Townsend said.

The coach, too, has put in quite a lot throughout the years. Townsend got the program started from scratch five years ago and has endured the growing pains along with newcomers to hockey, many of whom now have a few years of playing experience under their belts.

Some of the skaters are new to the game - and the ice for that matter - so there is still a learning process.

"It's going to take a lot of work to compete at this level," Townsend said. "It's definitely going to be a big challenge."

The Panthers will play the likes of Guilford, Daniel Hand of Madison, and the Fairfield co-op squad - all longer-established programs they haven't faced before. Although the Panthers may struggle against some opponents, the goal for the program to continue making progress.

"We've got to try to grow the sport as much as possible," said Townsend, who is excited to take on new players and help them learn the game and improve.

"We're just trying to be able to compete - compete in a majority of the games we play in," the coach said. "I'm excited for the challenge we have and for the girls to face the challenge. Win or lose it's going to do them well and they can say they did it. We want to make it a positive experience for the girls."