Goyda’s coaches face off in field hockey match

Posted: Oct 26, 2021 07:30 AM

Megan Goyda has many fond memories of playing field hockey at Newtown High School. The 2016 Southwestern Conference champion was back at Blue & Gold Stadium for her coaching debut during her former digs when the Brookfield Bobcats arrived in town on October 13. To make things even more interesting, Goyda’s counterpart also happens to be his mother – Ellen Goyda.

Megan said her familiarity with Newtown field hockey and her experience as a Nighthawk benefits her as a coach.

“I think it helps me a bit because I know how they play,” Meagan said before the game, adding that she can apply that knowledge to try and win games. “They are fast, aggressive, they don’t back down. Whatever you throw at them, they’ll hit you ten times harder.

“Mum is making adjustments,” said Ellen in a pre-game midfield interview with the Goydas.

Newtown won the game 7-1. The Nighthawks have traditionally been among the best in the SWC and are one of the favorites for a title this fall. Brookfield won seven games this fall, a feather in the program’s (and Megan’s) cap given the Bobcats haven’t won a game since 2018.

“It’s a testament to her knowledge of the game and how she conveys her message to the team,” said Ellen.

Megan gained much of her field hockey IQ from her mother. In between, there is a lot of field hockey experience to share. Ellen played at Western Connecticut State University and coached at the youth and high school level.

“My mom was a supporter and now an enemy, but she taught me everything I know,” Megan said.

“Sometimes the teacher learns from the student,” said Ellen, referring to her daughter’s exposure to the game having played at Springfield College. “I am always open to learning something new. Watching her come out of college with these new exercises only makes me better.

Among the things the teacher has learned from the student in this mother-daughter connection are new training and conditioning exercises to give the Nighthawks a boost of explosiveness on the playground.

Megan had a college career cut short by injury, but not before being recognized with a spot on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s national team. An All State and All SWC selection, as well as the recipient of the team’s best defenseman award in 2016, Megan earned a double major in physical education and health education in college and now teaches health education. in Fairfield.

Megan said she strives to get the most out of her players and focus on improving each day. “I believed in them from the start,” Megan said.

Her mother is proud of these accomplishments and can’t wait to see where the coaching takes her daughter.

“I am thrilled to see her grow up,” said Ellen.

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

Brookfield coach Megan Goyda and her mother, Newtown coach Ellen Goyda, first competed on the pitch at Blue & Gold Stadium when the teams met on October 13. —Bee Photo, Hutchison