Newtown High School’s field hockey team bounced back from its first loss of the season with perhaps its biggest win of the campaign. It did so in convincing fashion, with a 3-0 triumph over visiting New Fairfield, a team that was previously unbeaten in conference play, at Treadwell Park on October 2.

Katie Goyda scored all three Newtown goals, and her hat-trick helped the Nighthawks improve to 7-1 overall heading into Thursday’s scheduled clash with another of the better South-West Conference foes, Pomperaug of Southbury, at Blue & Gold Stadium, beginning at 6:30 pm.

The Nighthawks were perfect before dropping a 2-1 decision to host Bethel, which improved to 5-3. Rebounding to beat New Fairfield and dropping the Rebels to 5-2-1 was a nice accomplishment for the Hawks; New Fairfield’s only other loss came to FCIAC team Ridgefield.

“It was a great win. It was a great team effort. Coming off our loss against Bethel yesterday, the team really stepped it up,” Newtown Coach Stephanie Kearns said.

The victory came in unusual circumstances as Mother Nature impacted the flow of play.

After Goyda scored her first goal, on a breakaway, lightning halted the action for about a half an hour as the rain fell. The teams resumed, and Goyda finished off a scramble in front of the goal to extend the lead.

Newtown’s final tally came on a series of passes beginning in the midfield. Katie Dirga got the ball to Ali Kelleher, who passed to Kat Trammel. After pulling the opposing goaltender out of position, Trammel sent the ball across to Goyda to put the ball into the back of the cage.

“It was beautiful. They did a great job — good passing overall,” said Kearns, adding that the Nighthawks communicated well throughout this contest.

The game was stopped because of lightning in the area with only a few minutes remaining, so it ended prematurely.

Pomperaug went into Wednesday’s game with Bethel holding a record of 6-0-2. After nearly a week off from game play, Newtown will visit Watertown on Wednesday, October 10, at 7 pm; the Hawks defeated Watertown 8-1 earlier this campaign.