By Kim J. Harmon

NEW MILFORD - With five of their best players sitting on the bench nursing injuries (a couple not so serious, a couple quite serious), it is easily understandable why the Nighthawks started so sluggishly against New Milford on Tuesday afternoon.

But it is a testament to the depth on the team and the enormous freshman talent (Kelley Haines, Carrie Lipnick, April Scheuerell, and Chelsea Morin all started) that the ‘Hawks were still able to muddle their way through the game for a 1-0 win.

Yes, Newtown had to go without Colleen Davis, Morgan Haines, Stephanie Miles (impending knee surgery), Alex Helfer (impending ankle surgery) and Becky Corrigan and it showed in a lackluster effort against the Green Wave.

“Yes,” said Shannon Rouse, “it was kind of embarrassing.”

Even so, the ‘Hawks eventually found enough rhythm to take the game on a goal by Lipnick.

“With our injuries, we’ll be looking for the younger kids to step up,” said Rouse. “But we still need a stronger mental approach and we have to work on working together. It’s been a little tough, but I think we’re building our confidence.”

The win followed an 8-0 win over Stratford on Monday in which Erin McDonald scored three goals and Davis, Lipnick, Cara Delvecchio, Erin Doyle and Morin all scored solo goals. McDonald chipped in with a pair of assists while Rouse, Jessica Oswald, and Kendall Zimmerman had one assist apiece.

At two games, it’s just a mini winning streak so far, but it is putting some distance between the Nighthawks and their 2-1 loss to Joel Barlow last Thursday at the stadium.

That game started out okay for the ‘Hawks. In the first half, Doyle pushed the ball hard down the right wing and crossed to Rouse, who was able to corral the ball and knock it inside the left post (after sneaking through the hands of Kristen Doeberl).

But the 1-0 lead was short lived, though, for Joel Barlow (which entered the game at 3-2, 2-2 in the South-West Conference) came back down the field moments later and, on a corner kick, scored on a nice header from the far post.

The half ended with the teams tied at 1-1, but the Falcons took the game away from the ‘Hawks late in the second half on a goal by Amber Albrecht.

Newtown outshot Joel Barlow, 12-9.

The Nighthawks hope to keep the winning streak alive Friday, but it won’t be easy. After hosting Notre Dame on Friday, they will host Bethel on Tuesday at 7 pm at the stadium. Then comes Bunnell on Thursday, over in Stratford.