The South West United girls’ hockey team got its season going in mid December. The team, based out of Shelton’s Sports Center, has players from schools including Newtown, Masuk of Monroe, Notre Dame-Fairfield, Brookfield, and Lauralton Hall of Milford.

Head Coach Corrado Perugini said the goals this year are to qualify for the Southern Connecticut Conference and State playoffs. The team lost a couple close games to begin the slate, falling 4-2 to Hamden on December 13 and 4-3 to Fairfield Ludlowe on December 16.

Newtown players include senior captain Francesca Buccieri and freshmen Carli Thompson and Lia Spremullo.

Other captains are Jules Damon (Notre Dame), Amelia Manicke (Masuk), and Katalyn Gelfand (Brookfield). Players to watch include Hanna Newman (All Conference last season) and Grace Douglas (both from Lauralton Hall), as well as returning goalie Jen Velky (Masuk).

“We have returning players and some new players that are expected to contribute heavily,” Perugini said.

Following a December 18 visit to Stamford the team will take on Guilford in Shelton on Monday, December 23 at 2:15 pm and then take a break from game action until after the New Year.

South West United will face Guilford, Suffield, Wilton, Woodstock Academy, Hall, Daniel Hand, Amity, Mercy, West Haven, Trumbull, and East Catholic, in addition to a rematch with Hamden, as the season unfolds.

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