Newtown High School's girls' golf team retained its South-West Conference trophy by shooting a team-best 395 at the 18-hole Brownson Country Club in Shelton on May 31. The Nighthawks, having won the title in their first season, last spring, are two-for-two in the biggest SWC match of the campaign.

The Nighthawks were led by medalist Sarah Houle who shot a 76, a score Coach Jeremy O'Connell said was among the best in the history of the SWC girls' golf championships.

"Sarah dominated but everyone else had to do their part for us to be successful," O'Connell said. "It's just a testament to how hard they've worked all year."

Liz Weisgerber carded a 100, Casey Muckell shot a 107, Hannah Logan shot a 112, and Sydney Marino had a 116.

The next closest team, Masuk of Monroe, shot a 425. In other words, it wasn't very close, which perhaps was a bit of a surprise considering the Nighthawks - who were unbeaten last year - did lose one match during the campaign, falling to Masuk midway through the year. But O'Connell wasn't surprised his team won it all again.

"I felt that if we played well we had a good chance of repeating. But especially in a one-day event you never know," O'Connell said.

The coach said a key to the team's success was its level of mental preparedness. The girls played some 18-hole rounds on their own, and in practices the Nighthawks worked on getting through playing a bad hole and staying focused for a long match.

"I'm extremely proud of the girls. I'm proud of how hard they work outside of our normal practice," O'Connell said.