All Around Effort Leads Girls' Booters To Unbeaten Ways In Early Going
All Around Effort Leads Girlsâ Booters To Unbeaten Ways In Early Going
By Andy Hutchison
Marc Kenney, Newtown High Schoolâs girlsâ soccer coach, couldnât help but be pleased with his teamâs performances in a 7-1 triumph over Stratford on September 20 and 9-0 blanking of Notre Dame-Fairfield two days later. But to get a better feel for just how good his team is, Kenney wanted to see how things played out in a September 24 visit to always-tough Masuk of Monroe. The Nighthawks prevailed 3-1, giving Kenney and company a good feeling about the prospects for success as this season unfolds and gives way to the playoffs.
The Nighthawks followed up that victory with a 4-1 defeat of East Haven the next day at Blue & Gold Stadium, in a game rescheduled from the week before.
What Kenney likes best about this team is that everyone is buying into the program, so to speak. In other words, in Kenneyâs words: âDo it the right way. Possess the ball, be creative â and when you donât have the ball, mark up, defend, win balls in the air, and be tough.â
The Nighthawks have done all of that in defeating significantly weaker opponents and overcoming tough South-West Conference foes en route to a 6-0 start heading into Thursdayâs scheduled visit to Weston (after The Bee went to press).
Newtown opened the season with a 7-0 thumping of Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport, then got past Bethel 2-0 before the victory over Stratford to get a 16-goals-in-two-games offensive fireworks show started.
Against Stratford, Melissa Buccino scored twice, and Sarah Lynch, Jess Keller, Kerry Scallon, Meaghan Brophy, and Jamie Duncan all added goals. Brophy and Duncan are junior varsity regulars who got a chance to contribute to the varsity teamâs efforts. Martin assisted three of the goals, and Brittany Tolla, Tressa Scott, and Duncan also earned helpers.
In the Notre Dame game, Tolla found the net twice, and Brenna Kelly, Martin, Bridget Power, Kailee Dunnigan, Lynch, Scott, and Buccino also scored. Scott, Martin, Lynch, Kelly, Brophy, and Power all had assists.
In the Masuk game, Buccino scored twice and Tolla scored. Kelly assisted Tollaâs tally, Martin and Scott combined to set up one of Buccinoâs goals, and her other net-finder came unassisted on a breakaway.
Newtown got two early goals from Power to set the tone in the win over East Haven. Lynch put home a rebound after Martinâs shot hit the post, and Martin capped the scoring. Martin had two assists, and Tolla added one.
The Nighthawks stand to have a good test on Saturday, September 29, when Joel Barlow of Redding visits Blue & Gold for a 7 pm contest. Newtown visits New Fairfield on October 1.