Newtown Laxwomen Dominate SWC Rivals, Then Lose Nail-Biter To Glastonbury

By Andy Hutchison

It took overtime but Glastonbury’s girls’ lacrosse team finally stopped the Newtown High Nighthawks, who had reeled off six consecutive wins (the last five of which were decided by 14 or more goals). Glastonbury defeated Newtown 16-15 in the extra period on Monday to improve to 8-2 and NHS fell to a still impressive 10-2 following its second defeat to a nonconference foe.

Newtown had five goals from Lisa Vendel, four from Betsy Vendel and three from Meghan Bridges. Goaltender Marnie Thompson stopped 17 of 33 shots.

On Saturday, Newtown went to Pomperaug and won 22-6 as Betsy Vendel scored six times in that triumph, which came a day after a 19-5 win over Stratford (a game in which 11 different players scored and 12 of 19 goals were assisted).

That win came after a 19-3 win over Lauralton Hall … which followed up 20-5 and 20-2 triumphs over Masuk and Notre Dame-Fairfield, respectively.

Were these lopsided wins getting old for the Nighthawks? The answer is no.

“Every game is a different win,” defender Annie Fletcher said. “It’s always a different feeling and it’s always nice to win a game.”

Not to mention it is nice for the younger players, including those called up from junior varsity, to have a chance to play and get a taste of varsity life.

“It’s nice to have the JV players go in. They’re the future varsity players,” senior Jackie Isabella said.

Sophomores Katie Canavan, Meghan Carney, Kelly O’Connor, Emma Kingsley and Erin Brown are all sophomores who are in their first year of at least regular varsity action, and Coach Maura Fletcher says the players get a chance to grow and develop in these easy wins.

“It’s good for them to be able to play with the more experienced girls because they help them and teach them on the field,” Fletcher said.

Knowing her Hawks were going to need some out-of-conference tests, Fletcher scheduled games against FCIAC powerhouse Wilton, Glastonbury and Cheshire (the latter of which was a 16-15 win for the Hawks).

Newtown is the four-time defending South-West Conference champion and has the goal of not only getting back to the SWC final, but also getting deep into state tournament play. Those nonconference games should be good tune-ups for the playoffs. Fletcher said her team boasts speed and talent at all positions on the field. It has proven to be too much for the most of the SWC to handle — save a somewhat decisive 21-13 win over New Milford, every game within conference play has been decided by double digits. The question is whether or not the Hawks turn around their recent out-of-conference fortunes come state playoff time.

For now, however, the focus is on finishing off the regular season. NHS got back to its dominance of SWC foes in a 21-7 win over Bethel on Tuesday. Kaitlin Brophy led the attack with five goals. Lisa Vendel recorded five ground balls and won possession off three draws. Once again Newtown’s solid defense, often overshadowed by the high-scoring attack players, held an opponent to single digits.