Newtown High School’s field hockey team showed off its offensive prowess in a 6-2 win over Simsbury in the September 11 season opener. The Nighthawks outdid themselves with an 8-1 toppling of visiting Watertown at Blue & Gold Stadium two days later.

Ali Kelleher led the way with a hat-trick performance, scoring all three of her goals in the first half as the Nighthawks jumped in front 3-1 at the break. Kelleher opened the scoring 6:10 into the action. Her second goal came with 19:02 remaining in the first half, just 1:10 after Watertown had evened the score; her third tally was on a penalty stroke, with 16:42 to go before the break.

Kat Trammel and Katie Dirga both scored twice, and Katie Goya also hit the back of the cage as the Nighthawk offense erupted in the final 30 minutes. Piper Coleman and Trammel both had assists in the win.

The Nighthawks generated eight penalty corners and compiled 19 shots. Goaltenders Rebecca Filiato and Megan Fuchs combined to make ten saves.

Once the Nighthawks built a big lead, team members got a chance to come off the bench and get substantial game action.

“It was great. It was a great team effort,” Newtown Coach Stephanie Kearns said.

Kearns added that Trammel’s play was especially notable.

“Kat Trammel played an outstanding game. She had some breakaways; she was an unselfish player and crossed the ball into the circle and scored, too,” the coach said.

“I think we’re working well together as a team, and it’s paying off in games. And we’re working hard in practice, so that helps a lot,” Trammel said.

Newtown’s 13 goals in two games are certainly well above what a team typically does in field hockey. Last year, the Hawks peaked offensively with a trio of five-goal performances.

“It’s definitely comforting to know the team can score so many goals,” Kelleher said.

Of course, with tougher defenses and overall competition, the Hawks will likely have to rely more on their defense and goaltending, but they are not worried about keeping it up offensively or facing tough foes beyond the game at hand.

“Just one game at a time right now,” Kelleher said.

The Nighthawks got a tougher test in their third game of the slate, but blanked visiting Masuk of Monroe 3-0 on September 17.