Newtown High School’s girls’ golf team is striving to have this season wind down much like last campaign did: with a South-West Conference Championship.

“We’re hoping to repeat as SWC Champs and make the State Tournament,” Newtown Coach Jeremy O’Connell said.

The Nighthawks will need some repeat performances as well as to have some golfers step up and help lead the way in terms of scoring this spring.

Captains, senior Lucia St Lorenzo and junior Riley Ragan, were among the top scorers last year. A trio of others who helped lead the way graduated, leaving the following returning team members in position to take on significant roles as the season unfolds: sophomore Ellie Garbowski, junior Madison Slater, senior Sophia Wade, and juniors Ella Viau and Corynn Hettenbach.

It remains to be seen what other teams will bring to the courses but two-time runners-up Masuk of Monroe and 2023 champion Immaculate of Danbury have provided some of the best competition in the conference in recent years.

Newtown will visit FCIAC teams Ridgefield and New Canaan. The first home match, at Newtown Country Club, is scheduled for Monday, April 28 against Stratford (time to be determined).

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