Field Hockey Team Makes It Five For Five

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s field hockey team used a five-goal effort to stretch their unbeaten streak to five games, blanking visiting Brookfield 5-0 at Blue & Gold Stadium on Tuesday night. The Nighthawks have been unbeaten in October, earning four wins and a tie since the calendar turn.

It was Senior Night on Tuesday, but — perhaps more appropriately — it should have been called junior Kelly O’Sullivan night. O’Sullivan scored Newtown’s first goal. She added the team’s second tally … Then the third. Oh yeah, and the fourth to stake her team to a comfortable lead.

Senior Kayla O’Leary caged Newtown’s fifth goal as the Nighthawks improved to 5-3-2-1 overall, an impressive run of success since a slow start that included an overtime loss, but no wins in their first four contests.

The Nighthawks came into the season with several new faces on the field, and Coach Amanda Hadgraft says that having 11 games under their belts is key. “That’s a lot of time for them to bond and get used to playing together. I think that was half the battle at the beginning,” she said.

Newtown’s recent winning ways give the team members plenty of reason to smile.

“It just shows how far we’ve come since the beginning of the season,” O’Leary said.

“It’s awesome — it’s a great feeling,” O’Sullivan added. As for her scoring barrage, she pointed to her teammates for making great passes to help set up those chances. Newtown’s Lexi Black earned two assists and Caroline Kingsley and Nicole DeFelice also had helpers in the triumph over Brookfield.

The Nighthawks, on October 12, tied Bethel 1-1 as O’Leary scored a goal set up by DeFelice. Three days later, the Hawks blanked Masuk of Monroe 2-0. Erica Thill and Julia DiLuoffo both scored, and DeFelice assisted both goals.

The Nighthawks, following the Brookfield game, have five remaining on the slate — including one more home tilt, a Saturday, October 22, clash with Pomperaug of Southbury at 7 pm at Blue & Gold Stadium.