Coming off a South-West Conference title run, Newtown High School’s field hockey team will take the field with a new look this fall. The roster is in a bit of a rebuilding stage with several newcomers and only four juniors and four seniors in the fold. What’s more, Coach John Savage is in his first slate leading the lineup.

Keys to success will include full-field defensive pressure, moving the ball to teammates up the field, and finishing in the circle, Savage said after analyzing his squad in early preseason scrimmages. “We’re going to depend on condition and playing really good defense.”

Captains are defenders Ellie Meyer and Nella Walsh along with forward Shannon Hegarty.

Among the key players in a mostly young lineup are midfielders Jules Battaglia and Summer Harrell, defenders Janna Lagan, Mo Murphy, and Brooke Bulkley, and goaltender Riley Alesevich. With no backup goaltender available during preseason, field player Alexis Manfredonia stepped up and suited up in the pads and defended the cage during scrimmages and practices.

“They’re all good kids. They want to learn,” Savage said.

“We have a great young program and we have a lot of potential. I’m excited to get the show on the road,” Walsh added.

Preseason tilts with tough New York teams John Jay and Horace Greeley were scheduled to help prepare Newtown for regular-season challenges.

The Hawks begin the season when FCIAC team Trumbull comes to Blue & Gold Stadium Saturday, September 10, at 3 pm. They also face Fairfield Ludlowe, Ridgefield, and Greenwich out of the FCIAC, known as a power field hockey conference in the state.

“They prepare us in an unparalleled way,” Hegarty said of all of those nonconference foes.

“I’m excited,” said Bulkley, noting that among the tough in-conference competition is Joel Barlow of Redding, which will be seeking revenge after last year’s pinnacle-game defeat to the Nighthawks.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.