A strong returning group is back in place as the Newtown High School field hockey team strives to build off of last year’s results and perhaps make a run at a South-West Conference championship.

The team lost four players to graduation, but retains plenty of talent — including ten seniors — whom Coach Stephanie Paproski hopes can bring the Nighthawks to a title this fall.

“I think we’ll go far this year and I think with all the experience we have on the team, especially with the coaching staff, we have so much room to grow,” Paproski said.

Kathy Davey, who coached Paproski when she played at NHS back in 2008, returns to the program and will run the junior varsity team, and former Nighthawk player Jennifer Huetner will coach a developmental team, comprising sophomores and freshmen.

Last year, the Nighthawks went 6-6-3-1 (wins, losses, overtime losses, and ties) and, seeded eighth in the conference tournament, pushed top-seeded Lauralton Hall of Milford hard before suffering a one-goal defeat in the first round. Lauralton went on to earn the distinction of co-tourney champions, along with Pomperaug of Southbury, a team Newtown tied late in the regular season. The Nighthawks fell to Westhill of Stamford in the qualifying round of the Class L state tournament.

Newtown won’t have to worry about Lauralton in the conference playoff this time around as the school left the SWC to join the Naugatuck Valley League. New Fairfield, which handed NHS its most lopsided loss (4-0) last year, is a tough team the Hawks may have to overcome this postseason.

“I think our team can be in the mix,” Paproski said.

Newtown is led by senior captains Brooke Hadgraft, Casey Demers, and Emily Campbell. Hadgraft is a defender, Demers is a goaltender, and Campbell is a forward. Also back is last year’s leading scorer, Caroline Chocholak, a midfielder.

Paproski says team chemistry is a strong point for this bunch.

After beginning the season with three straight road games — at Brookfield, Masuk of Monroe, and Joel Barlow of Redding — the Hawks have their home opener in an early-season rematch when Brookfield visits Blue & Gold Stadium for a 7 pm contest on Tuesday, September 16.

Mother Nature permitting, the slate features six straight home tilts to close out the regular campaign. Among those games are battles with Pomperaug (October 17 at 3:45 pm at Treadwell Park) and FCIAC opponents Ridgefield and Brien McMahon of Norwalk.