Newtown High School's field hockey team had consecutive games against Panthers this past week - defeating host Masuk of Monroe 3-0 on October 5 and falling 3-1 to visiting Pomperaug of Southbury, at Treadwell Park, two days later. The Nighthawks carried a record of 6-4 into a Thursday, October 13 game against Ridgefield, scheduled to be played at Treadwell Park, beginning at 3:45 pm.

Alison Kelleher, Emily Dirga, and Megan Kelleher scored in the win over Masuk.

"We passed well, we communicated with each other - good execution altogether," Newtown Coach Stephanie Kearns said.

Kearns thought her team came out a bit flat against a deceptively good Pomperaug squad, which had only two prior wins but several one-goal defeats and ties under its belt. Newtown fell behind 3-0 before Dirga scored in the waning seconds of the first half.

Newtown kept up the momentum in the second half, and generated four penalty corner opportunities in the final 30 minutes, but couldn't chip away. Kearns, however was pleased with her team's play after halftime.

Emma Schmid-Tharnish played well near the midfield to thwart Pomperaug's breakouts, and help generate scoring chances, and Lauren Zimmerman and Alison Kelleher led the way with scoring chances only to be stopped. The Nighthawks dominated in possession time and chances in the second half, and will look to build off of the turnaround.

"We've learned from this game and we'll come out and play both halves with full intensity," Kearns said.

After the Ridgefield game, the Nighthawks are slated to host Immaculate of Danbury, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on Saturday, October 15, beginning at 7 pm. The Hawks then play three straight on the road.