The loss of ten players to graduation from last season’s 7-9 team doesn’t have Newtown Coach Stephanie Paproski worried. Although the players leave shoes to fill, Newtown’s field hockey coach has been given reason to believe her lineup will be a tough one to deal with based on what she’s seen in the preseason.

“I have a great feeling about the team this year,” Paproski said. “You can tell they’ve been working. I think they have a lot of drive and they want it this year. I’m excited to see what they can bring to the table.

“Losing seniors is always a tough part of the sport. However, we’re welcoming back so many great players,” the coach added.

Senior defender Kayla Disibio is the team’s captain. Other key returnees include senior forward Shannon Lynch and junior goaltender Natalie Shaker, along with juniors Megan Kelleher, Megan Goyda, and Lauren Zimmerman.

Field hockey is traditionally a low-scoring sport, but if the Nighthawks play as well as Paproski anticipates, the opposition might have a particularly tough time finding the back of the cage.

“I think we have a very strong defensive unit, especially with our goalie,” the coach said.

Newtown’s season is set to begin on Tuesday, September 15, with a home game against Bethel, when the Wildcats come to Blue & Gold Stadium for a 7 pm contest.

Read more about the Nighthawks in the September 11 print edition of The Bee.