The last time members of Newtown High School's girls' soccer team walked off the field following a game it was after a tough loss to Simsbury in penalty kicks during the first round of the Class LL state tournament.

The first time the Nighthawks took on an opponent in the preseason, during the late-August Jamboree they hosted, Newtown took on Simsbury.

Coincidence? Not at all. Newtown Coach Marc Kenney scheduled Simsbury first in an attempt to turn the page on last year. His team earned a 1-0 abbreviated scrimmage win, perhaps accomplishing what Kenney had hoped, giving his returning players a better feeling about things going forward.

"That left a bad taste in their mouth," Kenney said of his team falling 3-2 (7-6 in penalty kicks following overtime in a season-ending defeat a year ago). "We're picking up right where we left off and we're moving forward."

The Nighthawks went 8-4-4 during the regular season last year, then fell to New Milford in double overtime of the South-West Conference tournament semifinals. Newtown lost eight players, including five starters, to graduation.

"We've been working extremely hard all summer. I think it's going to show," one of the many returnees, captain and midfielder Julia Sughrue said.

In addition to the strong work ethic, camaraderie is on Newtown's side.

"Our bonding is better than it's ever been before," captain and forward Makenna Cerney said.

Kenney believes once the Hawks translate this strength into playing together at a high level, it will benefit the squad greatly.

"Our strength is ultimately going to be in the togetherness of the group," the coach said.

Key returnees, in addition to the captains, include defender Cassidy Kortze, Camryn Cicarelli, who is moving up from defense to midfield, sweeper Carly Swierbut, midfielder/forward Sarah Houle, midfielder/forward Grace Corcoran, forward Emma Curtis, and goalkeepers Megan Doyle and Haley Taylor.

New Milford, defending conference runner-up Immaculate of Danbury, Masuk of Monroe, Joel Barlow of Redding, and Pomperaug of Southbury are all tough opponents, but there really aren't any days off, as Kenney points out.

"There's no easy day. I say that every year. I think in the SWC it really holds true," said Kenney, noting that playoff qualification and position went deep into the campaign because there is so much parity throughout the conference.

Newtown's goal, as always, is to win conference and state championships.

"This group has a chance," Kenney said. "This is an amazing group. They want to get better - they work hard. They're invested in the program, in me, in each other."