Field Hockey Team Hoping To Prove Turning Point Can Come In A Loss

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s field hockey team’s 2-0 loss to visiting New Fairfield at Blue & Gold Stadium on Tuesday night might have put a crimp in the team’s hopes of qualifying for the Class L State Tournament, but the game — a setback as it may have been — could serve as a key turning point in the season, NHS Coach Amanda Hadgraft believes.

The Nighthawks stand at 4-8-0-1 (wins, losses, ties, and overtime losses) and, with three games to play, are in contention for one of the final state tourney berths. Newtown needs to win 40 percent of its games to be eligible for the playoffs and points earned factor into seeding. They did earn a point with an overtime loss to Joel Barlow. The Hawks will need to come up with the kind of effort that was put forth in the loss to New Fairfield the rest of the way, Hadgraft acknowledges.

Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the Nighthawks turned up the heat in the second half, pressuring New Fairfield goaltender Christina Remley throughout. Remley had to make six saves — a late-game NHS goal scored from outside the circle was waived off — to preserve the shutout. Newtown netminder Lauren Sarna made seven stops. The Nighthawks had the ball on New Fairfield’s half of the field consistently in the second half, as strong passing and aggressive play generated plenty of chances against a team with plenty to fight for.

“We were definitely close,” said Hadgraft, adding that the team has worked especially hard in practice of late.

The Rebels are in contention for one of the top SWC tourney spots and an quarterfinal round home game. The Nighthawks are scraping and clawing just to get into the state dance.

“This is what I’ve wanted from you all season,” Hadgraft told her team members, who stuck with an 8-3-1-0 Rebels’ squad. “This is exactly the game we need to play the rest of the season.”

There isn’t much season left, but it may be just enough for the Hawks to have a chance to extend it. Newtown is home the rest of the way. NHS, after a Friday, October 19, home game against Pomperaug of Southbury, will entertain Bethel on October 23 — both are 3:45 scheduled starts at Treadwell Park. The regular slate concludes with an October 24 clash with nonconference opponent Ridgefield at Blue & Gold on October 24 at 7 pm.

“We still have a lot of damage we can do regardless of where we place,” said Hadgraft, adding that opponents may not expect much from her squad, but can expect at least a fight — potentially an upset.

Pomperaug stood at 5-4-0-2 heading into this week’s action; Bethel — which defeated NHS 3-1 earlier this campaign, was 4-8-1-0; and Ridgefield was 4-6-2-0.

In the New Fairfield game, designated the Play For The Cure Game, the Nighthawks wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fundraising efforts for the Susan G Komen For The Cure brought in approximately $800.