By Steve Bigham

 

Visions of that cool October night of a year ago had to be dancing in the heads of the players on the Newtown High boys’ soccer team Tuesday as it trailed New Milford late in the game.

 

Last season was one full of great memories, including a trip to the Class `L’ state title game for Newtown. One of just a handful of lowpoints came at Bruce Jenner Stadium when the Nighthawks dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to New Milford, a team it should have beaten. It was the key loss that kept the Nighthawks out of the league playoffs.

The 1999 Newtown team has the potential to reach the heights of a year ago – maybe even surpass them. But earlier this week, there was Newtown again, staring New Milford straight in the face and on the brink of disaster. Trailing, 1-0, late in the game, head coach Brian Neumeyer feared his team might be headed toward a 3-2 start. A loss would have been tough to swallow, especially coming off last Friday’s gut wrenching 1-0 loss at Joel Barlow in Redding. The New Milford game, as do most South West Conference (SWC) match ups, had rather large playoff implications.

But in the nick of time, Rich Engel and his mates decided not to let history repeat itself. At the 68-minute mark, Engel took a feed off his chest from TJ Wolferseder and very calmly slid it past the Green Wave goaltender for his team-leading sixth goal of the year.

“TJ had a great serve to the back post,” Neumeyer said.

Freshman Ryan Tracy scored the game-winning (and possibly season-saving) goal seven minutes later as Newtown prevailed, 2-1, on the New Milford pitch. It upped the Nighthawks’ record to 4-1.

Wolferseder was also involved in the second goal after being fouled by a New Milford defender just outside the goalie box. Engel started the free kick with a pass to Wolferseder, whose shot on goal was deflected to Rob Weiss, who pushed the ball to Tracy for the tip in at the 75-minute mark. It was Tracy’s first goal of the season and one he’ll surely remember for a long time.

“He came up with a big goal,” Neumeyer said.

Tracy and Jake Rouse, both freshmen, have been seeing major minutes of late.

The win was Newtown’s first over New Milford in four years, but it looked for awhile like it might be four-straight losses.

“They’re a team that if you don’t come ready to play they can beat you. We almost found that out,” Neumeyer said.

 New Milford goalie James Tong converted a penalty kick at the 37-minute mark and the Green Wave’s one goal lead stuck for the next 31 minutes.

“We just couldn’t get a flow going. No one was stepping up,” Neumeyer explained. “We didn’t possess the ball enough in the back and that’s how we dictate the game. During the last 25 minutes, though, (sweeper) Bret McEvoy started getting more touches which opened us up offensively.”

Newtown goaltender Tom Malloy had 15 saves.

A Tough Defeat To Barlow

Alex Far converted on a direct kick in overtime last Friday as Joel Barlow handed Newtown its first and only loss of the season.

Neumeyer accepted the defeat, but questioned the call which set up the free kick.

“It was an unlucky call which cost us the game,” the coach said. “Far and McEvoy were going one-on-one headed toward our goal. McEvoy slid to kick the ball away and Far did a trip-dive. I’m not sure if he was fouled, but he stepped up and hit a direct kick from about 25 yards out. He bent the ball over our wall.”

Newtown had its share of opportunities, but failed to convert. Engel had a chance to tie the match with 20 seconds remaining in overtime. However, his bullet toward the corner of the net was blocked by the Barlow goaltender. Gossling, who is now day-to-day with a pulled hamstring, also had a shot go just wide, Weiss missed a close one after taking a ball off his chest, and Brendan Cavanaugh had a couple of close calls.

“It was a closely contested game. We know we can play with Barlow now,” Neumeyer said.

Malloy converted 15 saves in goal.

Miller, out with a sprained ankle, is expected to miss another week. Ian Walker, who suffered a broken foot in the preseason, remains out of action.

Newtown was slated to play its home opener Wednesday afternoon against New Fairfield. On Friday, the Nighthawks host Notre Dame in a 6 pm matchup at Treadwell Park. Monday’s 6 pm home match at Treadwell against Bethel follows that.