Newtown High School’s field hockey and girls’ soccer teams had success in their openers on September 12.

Field Hockey Team Wins

The field hockey team, behind a natural hat-trick (three unanswered goals) by Kat Trammel, blanked Watertown 5-0 at Treadwell Park. Shannon Kelleher and Katie Goyda also scored, and Katie Dirga notched an assist.

Newtown had strong defensive play from Meghan O’Rourke and the entire back line, helping goaltenders Gigi Marino and Rebecca Filiato combine on the shutout.

The Nighthawks compiled 18 penalty corners and scored off two of them. Watertown goaltender Claire Lyman made several sprawling saves to keep the Nighthawk offense from doing more damage.

Soccer Salvages Tie

In a rematch of last year’s South-West Conference title game, won by Newtown, the host Nighthawks and Pomperaug of Southbury Panthers finished in a 1-1 tie under the lights at Blue & Gold Stadium.

Newtown fell behind 1-0 early in the second half and saw a chance to even the score go by the boards when a blast by Katie Rowan, made possible following a series of nice moves by Kaley Meisenheimer, clanked off the crossbar with 15-plus minutes remaining.

Newtown goaltender Juliana Stavola made a charge-out sliding save and diving stop about two minutes apart to keep the Pomperaug lead at a goal.

Just two minutes after Stavola’s couple of impressive saves the Nighthawks tied things. Erin Phaneuf deposited a rebound of Karsen Pirone’s 40-yard free kick to even the score with 9:44 left. Pomperaug goalkeeper Samantha Grayson made a save on the free kick but Phaneuf was there to clean up.

Newtown’s uniforms featured purple in recognition of the team’s annual March of Dimes fundraiser.

Friday And Saturday Tilts

*The girls’ swimming and diving team visits Stratford’s Flood Middle School pool to take on the Stratford Red Devils at 5 pm.

*The field hockey team returns to action with another contest at Treadwell as Hall comes to town for a 6 pm contest.

*Girls’ volleyball, coming off a 3-2 loss at St. Joseph of Trumbull on September 12, hosts Darien. The match will begin at the conclusion of the JV contest, at approximately 6 pm.

*On the gridiron, the football team hosts New Milford at 7 pm.

*In a rematch of state playoff action last fall, the boys’ soccer team hosts Naugatuck at Blue & Gold on Saturday, September 14, starting at 2 pm. The girls’ booters visit Porstmouth, R.I. at noon.