By Kim J. Harmon

B

ack in 1999, the Nighthawks were just one year removed from one of their finest seasons ever and their first trip to the CIAC Class L state tournament in 17 years. But new coach Kathy Davey was faced with a team that had lost a lot of seniors from that stellar team.

She wanted the team to do better, hoped the team would do better, but after a 1-6-3 start it was clear it would not.

But at that point, the ‘Hawks began to jell and began to take their first steps in the right direction. They won three of their next four games and, on the final day of the regular season, fell just one point shy of qualifying for the state tournament again.

So, the ‘Hawks are looking to keep taking steps in that direction – the right direction – this year by not only qualifying for the CIAC Class L tournament but, heck, maybe even qualifying for the South-West Conference tournament, too.

“We definitely want to get into the states,” said coach Davey. “And I don’t think it’s an unrealistic goal for us to qualify for the SWCs, too.”

This journey started back in 1999 with the arrival of coach Davey and it began with her trying to change perceptions and attitudes associated with field hockey, fusing the incredible enthusiasm generated for the sport with the focus of succeeding on a conference and state-wide level.

So the journey continues in 2000 and taking the wheel will be senior co-captains Abby Reynolds and Lauren Bass. On a thickly-laden junior squad, Reynolds and Bass are the only seniors and will be looked towards for most of the leadership . . . helping the team recover from the loss of players like Betsy Carlson-Bancroft, Erin Macknight, Rebecca Mitchell, Kristen Bandura, and Keri Levinson.

There are 15 juniors, most of whom will make of the varsity squad, and it probably starts with players like Mary Bell, Elissa Boushell, Ellie Champagne, Heather Morgan, Jessica Omasta, and Morgan Pacheco. Morgan will be the new goaltender for the ‘Hawks, taking over for Levinson, who was an CIAC Class L All-State first team selection in her only varstiy season.

Also making up that class are Kelly Baranowski, Rachael Bolmer, Emmy Brancato, Katie Davis, Cannon Jones, Brittany Razor, Kathleen Scharf, Shannon Shepard and Jessica Stiewing.

“I think we’re definitely stepping in the right direction,” said coach Davey. “The kids are not just athletes, they are hockey players, and the intensity is there.”

Making up the sophomore class is Maggie Blomberg, Rachel Berliner, Courtney Brown, Katie Lahey, Caitlin Lynch, Dana Martenson, Kristen McGrath, Robin Pacheco, Kelly Rodden, Christine Shannon, Kim Shortt, Elana Tenenbaum and Megan Ullo.

Most of them will start at the jayvee level, but coach Davey said she wouldn’t be surprised if some made it up to varsity this season.

“The kids are still competing for spots,” she admitted. “Right now, our play is getting more consistent and I think we have the potential to very good. We just have to learn to be more aggressive.”

With Kim Sinusas and Russ Davey as her assistants, coach Davey will lead her team to its first challenge on Wednesday, September 13, at 3:30 pm – a battle down in Bethel.

DATE   OPPONENT       TIME

Sept. 13  at Bethel             3:30 pm

Sept. 15  at Weston           3:30 pm

Sept. 19  at New Milford     3:30 pm

Sept. 21  Masuk                      7 pm

Sept. 23  at New Fairfield   7:30 pm

Sept. 25  at Pomperaug      3:30 pm

Sept. 28  Joel Barlow          3:30 pm

Oct. 3     at Immaculate      3:30 pm

Oct. 5     Brookfield                7 pm

Oct. 10   Bethel                 3:30 pm

Oct. 12   Weston                    7 pm

Oct. 14   at Haddam                TBA

Oct. 17   New Milford              7 pm

Oct. 19   at Masuk             3:30 pm

Oct. 24   Pomperaug          3:30 pm

Oct. 28   Shepaug                   7 pm