Conference Champs Once Again! … NHS Girls’ Lacrosse Team Wins Sixth In A Row

By Andy Hutchison

BROOKFIELD — Kaitlin Brophy got control off the opening faceoff, raced toward the New Fairfield net and buried a shot for a 1-0 lead just 11 seconds into the May 28 South-West Conference Tournament championship game at Brookfield High’s field. That set the tone for a 20-4 win as the Nighthawks kept a stranglehold on their conference bragging rights for at least another year. Newtown has won six championships in a row.

The top-seeded Nighthawks saw No. 2 New Fairfield answer with a goal 31 seconds after the game’s opening goal to tie the score but quickly seized control, reeling off 14 first-half goals before playing keep away for most of the second half.

“I didn’t expect it to be quite as easy as it was,” said Newtown Coach Maura Fletcher, adding, “we didn’t have any trouble scoring on their defense.”

Brophy, who led Newtown with six goals and a pair of assists, earned Most Valuable Player Honors.

“It feels really nice,” said Brophy, adding that the Nighthawks did not take their opponents for granted and came out strong knowing a team can be upset at any time. “Nobody knew what was going to happen — anything could have happened.”

Meaghan Bridges and Lisa Vendel both scored three times, and Bridges added five helpers. Kaley Kruger, Erin Brown, and Emma Kingsley all scored twice, and Meaghan Carney and Katie Canavan found the net once each. Ten of Newtown’s goals were assisted as the Hawks moved the ball well with sharp passing throughout the contest.

Starting goaltender Celeste Cheung made four saves and Jill Jagoe played the final ten-or-so minutes and stopped two shots. Newtown’s defense was nearly impenetrable. Annie Fletcher and Kelly O’Connor both came up with timely interceptions to help the Hawks utilize their strong transition game.

“We didn’t really give them an opportunity to set up their offense,” Coach Fletcher said.

Vendel and Canavan said the key to victory was the team’s control of the ball off of faceoffs, ability to move the ball and utilize teammates all over the field.

The Nighthawks went unbeaten in conference play in the regular season, losing only to FCIAC opponent Wilton, and will turn their attention to the Division I State Tournament. The Hawks stand to get another chance against an FCIAC foe in the second round of the tourney if top-seeded Newtown and Darien both advance past the first round.

Regardless of the outcome in states, the Nighthawks can keep celebrating their conference title. Although it’s their sixth in a row, the winning ways never get old and the team — of course — has a slightly new look each season. Maura Fletcher, a youth lacrosse coach for several years, said this season is special in the sense that she has coached the seniors since they were in second grade.