By Steve Bigham

BETHEL – Under different circumstances, Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss at Bethel might have been devastating.

In years past, it actually may have been a cause for panic.

At 5-2-2, the Nighthawks would normally be facing possible playoff elimination as Joel Barlow (9-0), New Milford (7-1-1), Masuk (7-2), and Brookfield (6-1-2) all sport better records and Bethel (6-3-0) is basically tied with the ‘Hawks.

However, starting this year, eight teams will qualify for the South-West Conference playoffs – not four, as in the past. Under the new scenario, the Nighthawks remain alive and well in the race for the playoffs, especially after picking up their fifth win of the season last Friday at Notre Dame of Fairfield.

Nevertheless, says Coach Brian Neumeyer, Newtown needs to start scoring goals and winning games if it wants to remain in that picture. He says the new playoff format provides a “security blanket” for Newtown, but believes his team should still be among the league’s top four.

“I thought we played the best game we played all year against Bethel. We just have not been able to finish goals. We have to get hungry around the box,” he said Wednesday. “I thought the team possessed the ball great. Bethel seemed like they were chasing the ball all night. The thing is you have to score more goals than the other team.”

Neumeyer figures his team needs to win at least half of its final six games in order to get in. Those six teams – Bunnell, Jonathan Law, Foran, Masuk, Kolbe Cathedral and Pomperaug – have a combined record of 23-25-6.

“Obviously, we’d like to win five or six of those games and we think we can do it,” Neumeyer said.

Bethel’s Paul Casey scored the game’s only goal 13 minutes into the second half to hand Newtown just its second loss of the season. Casey hit paydirt from 20 yards out off an assist from David Vitti.

“He hit a good shot. That seems to be the case on all the goals we’ve let up this year,” the Newtown coach said.

Newtown goaltender Matt Pachniuk had eight saves in goal.

The Nighthawks had numerous scoring attempts on crosses from the outside, but guys like Mike Troy, Rob Weiss, Brendan Cavanaugh and Ryan Tracey were unable to get “clean” shots off. Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat marked the fourth time that Newtown has been shutout this year.

“That’s four big games that we have no goals in,” said Neumeyer, noting that each of those four teams is a playoff contender. Of course, Newtown should also be credited for giving up just three goals (two of them to powerhouse Joel Barlow) during those four contests.

Neumeyer promises his squad will be ready to make a run at the conference title. Quarterfinal playoffs begin October 28. The semifinals will take place November 1 at Bethel. The finals will be held November 3 at Joel Barlow.

“With eight teams making the playoffs there is a little less pressure on us. We can look at just improving our play. I’m confident we will be at the top of our game when the playoffs come around,” Neumeyer said.

After falling behind 1-0 at Notre Dame of Fairfield last Friday, Newtown scored three unanswered to take control of the game. Weiss scored Newtown’s first goal 24 minutes into the first half on a shot from about 18 yards out. Tracy with credited with the assist.

Sean Wilson gave Newtown a 2-1 lead at the 38-minute mark with a breakaway goal. Cavanaugh picked up the assist.

One minute later, Weiss made it 3-1 off a feed from Troy.

Notre Dame made it 3-2 with just 11 minutes remaining before Cavanaugh put the game away at 77 minutes off a pass from Weiss.

Newtown was slated to host Bunnell at 6 pm on Thursday at Treadwell Park. Jonathan Law comes to town on Saturday for a 6 pm matchup at Treadwell. Newtown heads to Foran in Milford next Tuesday. Masuk comes to town next Thursday for a 6 pm contest at the stadium.