With the South-West Conference field hockey championship on the line, Newtown High School's defense found itself in familiar nerve-racking territory, facing a defensive penalty corner with no time on the clock. Twice before in the SWC tourney, the Nighthawks withstood game-ending corners by the opposing team to move on.

The Nighthawks, on November 4, came through with yet another stand on the defensive end to hold off Pomperaug of Southbury for a 1-0 SWC championship game win at neutral site New Milford High.

Megan Kelleher converted off a penalty corner at the other end, taking an feed from Danielle Samson and following up her initial shot which knocked the stick out of a Pomperaug player's hands. Kelleher got to the loose ball and put home a low shot from about 10 yards out, with 6:03 remaining.

Seeded eighth in the bracket, the Nighthawks defeated No. 1 Joel Barlow of Redding in the quarterfinals, No. 4 New Milford in the semis, and No. 3 Pomperaug in the pinnacle battle. All three foes handed Newtown losses during the regular slate.

"It feels great. These girls worked really hard," Newtown Coach Stephanie Kearns said. "These girls came out, they played together, they never lost faith in each other."

Kelleher, who earned MVP accolades, had two words to describe the feeling after the win: "Amazing - unbelievable."