Field Hockey Team Qualifies For State Playoffs

By Andy Hutchison

The Newtown High School girls’ field hockey team, battling to get into the state playoffs as the season wound down, earned just enough points to extend the campaign. The Nighthawks won their last two games with their playoff-hopeful backs up against the wall.

Newtown edged Ridgefield 2-1 in overtime in the regular-season finale, at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 24, to clinch a spot in the Class L state tournament.

Just as they have made a late-season push to qualify for the playoffs, the Hawks used a late-game effort to overcome Ridgefield. Erica Thill tied the game late in regulation and Diluoffo put home the winner in extra time, giving the Hawks a memorable Senior Night win in the rain.

Newtown, which ended a seven-game losing skid with a 4-0 blanking of Bethel at Treadwell Park on October 23, finished the regular season 6-9-0-1 (wins, losses, ties, and overtime losses) and earned 13 points of a possible 32, just enough to qualify for the postseason.

 Fittingly, it rained during each of Newtown’s last two wins. NHS Coach Amanda Hadgraft talked after a 5-3 loss to Pomperaug of Southbury in the rain on October 19, about how pleased she was with the effort.

With any luck, it’ll rain when the Hawks take the field for the start of the playoffs in early November. The Hawks didn’t qualify for the South-West Conference tourney. The state tournament’s qualifying round is scheduled for November 5, followed by first round action two days later.

Stay tuned for updates to the schedule (as well as the forecast).

Go to the Newtown Bee’s sports webpage at www.NewtownBee.com or visit www.casciac.org for scheduling details.