Newtown High School's field hockey team enters into the season striving for success behind a mostly new lineup.

The Nighthawks lost eight players to graduation a year ago. This season they're led by captains Megan Goyda, a defender, and Megan Kelleher, a midfielder. Other seniors whom Coach Stephanie Kearns will look to for contributions include forwards Lauren Zimmerman and Emily Dirga, defenders Sophia Albano and Simran Chand, and goaltender Nathalie Shaker.

Last year, the Nighthawks went 8-6-1-1 (wins, losses, overtime losses, and ties), and went on to win their Class L state tournament qualifying round game before falling in the first round. Six games were decided by one goal, plus the tie (2-2 with Weston).

The team's overtime loss came against Joel Barlow of Redding, one of two setbacks to the rival school, the other a 1-0 nail-biter. Those close scores are saying something considering Barlow went unbeaten in the conference en route to winning the SWC championship.

Newtown and Barlow will meet just once in the regular season this fall, a September 27 clash at Blue & Gold Stadium, beginning at 7 pm, and you can bet the Nighthawks have that one circled on their schedule. For what it's worth, Barlow lost a dozen players to graduation, and these teams tend to have closely-contest matchups each season.

"I'm excited to see what they have this year compared to the skill we have," Kearns said.

The coach likes what her players bring to the field.

"I think this team has a lot of potential," said Kearns, adding that she would like to see her team members play to their full potential. "If they do I think we'll have a pretty competitive season. We're definitely looking forward to it - great group of girls, great group of coaches."

The keys to success, Goyda believes are "a lot of hard work and a lot of underclassmen stepping up with the amount of injuries this year."

Goyda and Kelleher were both sidelined with injuries when the preseason season got started. Goyda expects to be back later in the fall, and Kelleher returned to action late in the preseason.

The up-and-coming players are doing well in the early going.

"They're definitely determined - they're very committed," Kelleher said.

A September 29 visit to Bethel, beginning at 3:45 pm, is another the players are thinking about since Bethel always seems to provide the Hawks with a tough challenge, Goyda notes. Of course, the Nighthawks aren't about to look past their season-starting opponent, Weston. The Trojans visit Treadwell Park on Tuesday, September 13, beginning at 4 pm.