There are those blowout wins that look great on paper — such as the Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team’s 4-1 triumph over host Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport on October 3 — and then there are the hard-fought defeats that, arguably — or perhaps there really is no debate — mean more to teams in the long run.

The Nighthawks fell 2-0 to visiting nonconference foe Xavier of Middletown at Blue & Gold Stadium on September 30, the team’s third straight loss preceding the win over Kolbe. It might have felt good to get back on the winning track, but there were some wins within those losses in that the Nighthawks got tested and gained playoff-type experience.

“These are the teams we’re going to play in the state tournament,” Coach Ryan Lyddy said.

The Nighthawks, following a 4-0-2 start, fell 3-0 to Bethel on September 26 and 2-1 to New Fairfield in a pair of home clashes with tough South-West Conference teams. Then came the Xavier game which featured Nighthawk goalkeeper Yarema Stasyshyn making nine saves — some of the diving denial variety, one on a penalty shot.

“Yarema really came out of his shell tonight. That’s the Yarema of old. He did an absolute fantastic job,” Lyddy said.

Solid defense by Kyle Ruddy, Elias Brady, Ny’Cere Patterson, and Ryan Payne stymied the visiting Falcons on many attempts. Then there was the two-way play of Newtown’s midfielders — Brady Lavelle, Brendan McAnsapie, Johnny Celli, and Luke Kellerman — who were all over the Xavier players throughout the contest.

After an initial push by the Nighthawks and some back-and-forth play, the Falcons began to build momentum and maintain pressure until they struck with 12:46 left in the opening half.

In the second half, Celli and Kellerman created some chances with through ball passes but the Hawks were held. Just before the midpoint of the half, with 23:30 to go, the Falcons were given a penalty kick following a foul inside the 18-yard box just after a Xavier corner kick. Stasyshyn dove to his right to get his hand on the ball and keep the Nighthawks within one.

Xavier doubled its lead with 16:37 left. Then another diving stop on a breakaway, and a play in which Newtown’s keeper came way out to break up Xavier’s push, kept the Hawks in the game.

“It’s all learning right now and I think this game is projecting us where we need to be in the second half of the season,” said Lyddy, who was proud of his team’s efforts.

The Nighthawks improved to 5-4-2 after defeating Kolbe with seven to play. Manny Adomako scored twice, and Curtis Verdi and Gabe Petertonjes also found the net. Verdi, Petertonjes, Celli, and Edward Liu scored in the victory.

“First half down. We know a little bit about our depth, we know a little bit about our formations. I think we’re in good shape,” Lyddy said after the Xavier game.

The Nighthawks play only SWC teams the rest of the way. Upcoming home action includes a Thursday, October 12, visit from Stratford at 6 pm.

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