By Kim J. Harmon

I

t was perhaps the greatest game in the history of the Newtown High School field hockey program and while a five-overtime, penalty-stroke loss to Simsbury in the CIAC Class L state tournament might have ended the Nighthawk’s 2000 season, it sure started the 2001 season off on the right foot.

“Our last game was awesome,” said co-captain Jess Omasta, “and, so, ending on a note like that – with a full team coming back – gives us really high hopes for this season.”

The Nighthawks’ only two major losses were co-captains Lauren Bass and Abby Reynolds, but the ‘Hawks also lost the talented Brittany Rayzor to cross country. Still, the team – which was 7-8-1 a year ago – is largely intact and rarin’ to go.

“This year could be a big year for us,” said co-captain Heather Morgan.

The numbers tell a nice story – some 75 players tried out for the field hockey team this fall, forcing coach Kathy Davey to make some cuts, and about 25 players attended a field hockey camp at Springfield College in August.

“This should be our year,” said Omasta. “It should be the farthest Newtown has gone.”

Experience will be the key. Omasta has proven herself to be one of the most solid backs in the South-West Conference and Morgan is a budding star in goal. They will get their support on the defensive side of the field from senior Kathleen Scharf and juniors Caitlin Lynch, Jess Steiwing and Cannon Jones.

But while the team – in the past – relied on its defense, the ‘Hawks boast a solid offense which scored 18 goals last year.

It starts in the middle of the field, where senior Ellie Champagne and juniors Kristen McGrath, Elena Tenenbaum and Dana Martenson will lend their support to the forwards. Up front and on the wings will be seniors Morgan Pacheco (team-high 9 goals last year), Elissa Boushell, Mary Bell, Rachel Bolmer (4 goals last year) and juniors Rachel Berliner and Katie Lahey.

The ‘Hawks entered the CIAC Class L last year at 6-7-1 and defeated Windsor, 1-0, in the qualifying round before traveling to Simsbury. There, the ‘Hawks (ranked #16) took the No. 1 team in the state through two 30-minute halves, four 10-minute overtime periods, and one round of penalty strokes before finally succumbing, 1-0.

“It was a wonderful game,” coach Davey said at the time. “It was an exciting game, it really was. To take the No. 1 team to five overtimes . . . how can you be mad?”

You can’t. You can only use it to your advantage, which the Nighthawks feel they have done as they prepare for the 2001 season (which opened on Wednesday, September 12, in a 7 pm contest at Bethel High School).

Coach Davey will be away from the team for the first 10 days of the season, spending time in China. Assistant coach Kim Sinusas and coach Russ Davey will take over in her stead.

Schedule

 

Date      Opponent          Time

Sept. 12    at Bethel                   7 pm

Sept. 14    at Weston            3:45 pm

Sept. 20    New Milford         6:30 pm

Sept. 22    at Masuk                   2 pm

Sept. 24    Pomperaug           3:45 pm

Sept. 26    at Joel Barlow      3:30 pm

Oct. 2       Immaculate          3:45 pm

Oct. 4       at Brookfield        3:45 pm

Oct. 9       Bethel                  6:30 pm

Oct. 11     Weston                3:45 pm

Oct. 13     Haddam               2:30 pm

Oct. 16     at N. Milford        6:30 pm

Oct. 18     Masuk                  3:45 pm

Oct. 23     at Pomperaug       3:45 pm

Oct. 25     New Fairfield       6:30 pm

Oct. 26     Shepaug               6:30 pm

SWC Playoffs begin Tuesday, October 30, with the SWC finals on Thursday, November 1. The CIAC tournament begins on Monday, November 5. All home games played at the stadium field unless otherwise noted.