It has been a nice start for the Newtown High School boys' soccer team. Following a 3-2 win over Pomperaug of Southbury on September 5 the Nighthawks played tough nonconference foe Naugatuck to a 2-2 tie on September 7, then blanked Brookfield 4-0 on September 10. Each of these games was played at home on the Blue & Gold Stadium turf.

In the Brookfield game Newtown scored twice in each half with Ryan Payne netting a pair of goals, one in each half. Erik Arpi assisted Matt Yermolin for the first goal before Payne scored unassisted. In the second half, the third corner kick of the half proved to be the charm as Payne blasted home a loose ball following a Curtis Verdi kick from the left side. Verdi finished the scoring when he intercepted a pass about 40 yards out, made a run inside the 18-yard box and cashed in.

Newtown dominated by controlling the ball, pressuring the Bobcats when the visitors had possession, and keeping much of the play on Brookfield's half of the field. The pass work was nice, and the Nighthawks used their speed to get behind the defense for scoring chances. At the other end of the field strong defense was turned in by several Hawks highlighted by slide tackle breakups by Yermolin and Ed Liu.

Goalkeeper Luke Doherty made some key saves but also used his good timing and aggressive play to deny opportunities before a Brookfield attempt could be put on goal. Doherty raced out to the top of the 18 to break up multiple would-be chances.

"The energy level was through the roof tonight," Newtown Coach Ryan Lyddy said. "The possession, the energy, 50-50 balls — that was a good brand of soccer."

There was plenty of energy in the stands as well with a large, especially for a Tuesday night, crowd on hand at Blue & Gold.

The Nighthawks, in the win over Pomperaug, built a 2-0 lead. After the Panthers evened the score. Malakai Ortner notched his first varsity goal to break the tie and send NHS to victory; Josh Prudhomme had the assist. Payne also scored and Jonah Kaiser registered an assist. Newtown's other goal came on an own goal by Pomperaug.

In the game two tie, Yermolin and Arpi both hit the back of the net and Payne logged an assist

"Each day we're getting a little bit better," said Lyddy, whose team is set to face Wethersfield, at Farmington Sports Arena in the Connecticut High School Soccer Challenge, Saturday, September 14 at 2:30 pm.

Newtown, following the Wethersfield contest, gets back into South-West Conference play. The Hawks will visit Weston Tuesday, September 17 at 6 pm and travel to Immaculate of Danbury Thursday, September 19 at 4 o'clock. The next home game is set for Saturday, September 21, when Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport visits at 11 am.

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