With former Newtown High player Megan Goyda at the helm, the Nighthawk field hockey team will again look to be among the South-West Conference contenders this fall.

“As a team, one of our main goals is to win SWCs with a good run in states after. We’re a strong team, and I think, definitely one of the stronger teams in the conference. If we can utilize our skills and the experience of our returners, we will be a force to be reckoned with,” said Goyda, who takes over head coaching duties after leading the Brookfield High program to turnaround.

“We have a lot of strengths this year. We have a lot of speed. In each position, we have athletes who can run; I think it’s going to play in our favor. We also have a lot of great stick-handlers. The technical skill most of these athletes possess is going to be hard to defend. And our greatest strength, I believe, is our experience — we have 13 returners. They know the expectations of these next few months and they’re excited to get back at it. Especially with the help some of our newcomers I expect us to rise to the occasion,” Goyda added.

Senior captains are defender Jules Battaglia, midfielder Summer Harrell, and forwards Annika Bozentko and Alexa Manfredonia.

Other key players to watch include forward/midfielder Ellenoire Schoen; midfielders Abby Ihlefeld, Rachael Albrecht, Brooke Bulkley, and Mo Murphy; defender Jenna Lagan; and defenders/midfielders Reese Lischuk and Francesca Glazer. Goaltenders Riley Ragan and Riley Alesevich are competing for playing time.

“We have a lot of veterans on our squad but after seeing the hard work all of these girls have put in this summer, we have a group of newcomers who are extremely talented and will definitely have an impact for us too,” Goyda said.

Last year, there were five teams bunched near the top of the standings, all with five or six wins: Newtown, New Milford, Pomperaug of Southbury, Masuk of Monroe, and Immaculate of Danbury. Pomperaug went on to capture the SWC title.

Conference teams that should be tough are Pomperaug, Immaculate, and New Milford, Goyda anticipates. “I also think Weston isn’t a team we should take for granted. They’re all tough teams but as last year proved, SWC field hockey is fun and competitive and it’s always anyone’s game. Out of conference we have a fun game scheduled with Longmeadow High School of Massachusetts as well as non-conference games with Branford, Fairfield Ludlowe, and Trumbull,” the coach said.

Newtown’s new coach is ready to see her team in action, especially given the depth of talent throughout the field.

“I’m ecstatic. There is so much potential in this program. I have the opportunity to utilize so many different athletes in so many different ways. We are incredibly strong from offense through defense, freshman through seniors. The combination of talent, experience, and leadership with this group is going to produce a lot of fun field hockey to watch this season,” she said.

It all gets started Saturday, September 9, with a visit to Fairfield Ludlowe at 10 am. NHS hosts Longmeadow Monday, September 11, at 4 pm.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.