NHS Field Hockey Team Wins Two, Drops One

By Andy Hutchison

The Newtown High School field hockey team pulled off a pair of nail-biting wins to begin the season, edging Weston 1-0 in the season-opener on September 15, then knocking off New Milford 2-1, behind a last-minute tally, on September 18.

The Nighthawks then got their first taste of defeat this year in a 1-0 setback to visiting Bethel on Tuesday.

Megan Fahy found the net for the only goal against Weston.

In the win at New Milford, Lisa Vendel and Izzy Gleason both scored.

Gleason broke a 1-1 tie in the final half minute to lift the Nighthawks to an exciting victory.

Goaltender Jessica Balsano was between the posts for each of the wins.

NHS Coach Amanda Hadgraft is happy with the start to the campaign.

“I’m completely pleased with the start of the season,” Hadgraft said prior to the Bethel game.

Hadgraft said her team, despite getting the win, did not play up to its capability in the season opener, but that she was impressed with the performance in the New Milford game.

The Nighthawks couldn’t find any late-game magic against Bethel but will have a chance to rebound in their next contest, at Joel Barlow in Redding on Friday, September 25. Newtown returns home to play Brookfield at 7 pm on September 29. The Hawks then take on two of the toughest teams they stand to face this fall. Newtown visits Class S state champ New Fairfield on October 1 and travels to perennial South-West Conference powerhouse Pomperaug, a team that stands to be hungry for redemption after Newtown won in last year’s conference title game, on October 6.