Boys’ Soccer—

Defense Solid, Offense Shooting For Even More Success

By Andy Hutchison

Following a season-opening scoreless tie with nonconference foe Fairfield Prep, Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team has continued to contain the opposition’s offense, and put enough balls into the backs of the nets to get a trio of wins under their belts. The Nighthawks blanked Bethel 1-0 on September 14, then cruised past Stratford 4-0 at Treadwell Park on September 20, and topped Masuk of Monroe 4-1 at Treadwell on September 24.

In the win over Bethel, Brenton Scott netted the only goal, assisted by Eric Fiore. Against Stratford, Fiore raced up the left side and banked a sharp-angle shot off Stratford’s goalkeeper David Herrara and into the near side of the goal for a 1-0 lead. Later in the first half, Clayton Gattey knocked a 50-50 ball away from Herrara as he charged the goal, then centered to Patrick Riccardi, who booted home another net-finder for a 2-0 advantage. The Hawks scored twice more in the second half. Connor Quinn assisted Drew Sullivan, and Fiore made a cross that Grant Ricketts one-timed into the back of the net to cap the scoring.

Despite winning handily over Stratford, the Nighthawks know there is a lot of work to do in order to be in the mix of title contenders in the South-West Conference.

“A win’s a win as [Coach Brian Neumeyer] said. I still think we could have played a lot better. We were sloppy out there,” said Fiore, a captain, after the team’s postgame huddle.

There were times in which the Nighthawks did look sharp on offense, but it took Newtown some time to get in sync and the players know they need to be more consistent — and will need to capitalize on more opportunities against tougher SWC foes down the road.

“We need to do a better job in the front third, and put the ball into the net,” senior captain Nick Barreto said. “We’re beginning to keep the ball more, which is important. We’re a better team when we have the ball in the midfield and distribute it wide.”

Fiore was more pleased with his team’s scoreless and 1-0 efforts to begin the year, due to the caliber of the opponents. “I think we played well in those two games,” he said, adding that the defense was strong in each of the wins, the Stratford game — when NHS keeper Eli Klorczyk didn’t even have to make a save — included.

“Our defense is playing real solid back there,” said Fiore, pointing to the play of Sullivan, Noah Sock, Logan Puleri, and Stephen Conway on the backline.

Against Masuk, the Hawks finally allowed their first goal against, but came out with an overall well-played victory. Neumeyer said that, minus a rough 20-minute stretch in the first half, it was the best game his team has played in the early going. Newtown passed the ball well and used patience on offense to set up its goals. Nathan Kalra and Gattey both scored and Fiore registered two tallies to lead the offense to its best effort of the campaign. Klorczyk made three saves.

The Hawks were scheduled to host Weston on Thursday (after The Bee went to press), and will visit always-tough rival Joel Barlow of Redding on Saturday, September 29. The Hawks return home to face New Fairfield at Treadwell Park on Monday, October 1, at 3:45 pm.