By Kim J. Harmon

It was not an auspicious start to the 2000 season, a 4-0 loss down in Bethel back in September, but after that loss the Nighthawks went 4-1-2 in their next seven games and were hoping that kind of momentum would help them avenge that loss when the Wildcats came to Newtown.

It didn’t.

Bethel (now 6-2-1) snapped a 0-0 tie with three second-half goals on Tuesday afternoon at the stadium, defeating Newtown, 3-0, and dropping the surprising Nighthawks to 4-3-2.

The first goal came with almost four minutes gone in the half, off a penalty corner.

The second came about six minutes later, also off a penalty corner. On that goal, Newtown simply had trouble clearing a ball out of the circle. A couple of whiffs and a short kick save weren’t enough and the Wildcats went ahead, 2-0.

The third goal (with 15:40 left to play) was the most decisive of the game, a hard smash from the top of the circle that rebounded inside the left post, into the cage.

Bethel outshot Newtown, 10-6, in the game.

The Nighthawks had to go into the game without the services of forward Rachael Bolmer (four goals on the season), who is out nursing an injury.

The ‘Hawks were set to host Weston on Thursday at 7 pm and will travel all the way to Haddam-Killingworth on Saturday for a non-conference battle.

The girls will return home next Tuesday to host New Milford, a team the ‘Hawks tied 1-1 in a game that was halted because of torrential rains.

The Green Wave are 7-1-1 and just beat previously-undefeated Pomperaug, 2-1, this week.