NHS Boys’ Soccer Team Ties Bunnell—

Nighthawk Booters Continue Unbeaten Stretch

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team played to a hard-fought scoreless tie with Bunnell of Stratford under the lights at Blue & Gold Stadium on Tuesday night.

The previous time these teams met there was a lot more on the line as they battled in the South-West Conference tournament and Bunnell escaped with an overtime win in the semifinals last fall. In the rematch, Newtown Coach Brian Neumeyer’s main objective was for his team to prove it will be in contention should there be a lot at stake the next time the rivals clash. At least, the coach wanted his Hawks to show him they will be ready for any tough opponent come postseason and a 6-2-1 Bunnell team certainly proved to be a good barometer. Of course, the Nighthawks were up to the task

The Nighthawks, unbeaten since a season-opening loss to Pomperaug of Southbury, were 6-1-2 heading into Thursday’s clash with New Milford (after The Bee went to press).

“We just wanted to make sure that we were at the level so come conference time we know — we believe — that we can win and that’s that we did today,” Neumeyer said. “It was a good performance by the guys — very, very good.”

Newtown goalkeeper Austin Puleri made a trio of diving stops on second-half shots to help preserve the deadlock. At the other end of the pitch, the Nighthawks put some equally heavy pressure on Puleri’s counterpart, Sebastian Tamayo, who made a late-game diving save on Steven Conway. Newtown sniper Ryan Dunnigan beat Tamayo on a long-range shot from outside the 18-yard box, but the ball clanked hard off the crossbar.

“It was a good dig and he had the keeper beat — just a few inches. We had another opportunity in the box. A couple great opportunities,” said Neumeyer, alluding to a play in which Dunnigan crossed the ball into the box where Nick Barreto directed a header just wide of the right post. “And Austin’s been playing great all year so we expect that out of him — to keep us in games — and he did a great job.”

Puleri made five saves and Tamayo made four stops in a game marked by strong possession by both sides and a few high-level, well-timed scoring threats mixed in.

“I thought we had better chances in the run of the game and at times we were able to slow it down. So I think we played really well; it just shows where we are and where we want to be,” Neumeyer said. “Bunnell is the team touted to win the conference going away this year.”

The Nighthawks came off a 3-1 win at New Fairfield on October 6. Barreto scored the first goal, which was set up by Connor Quinn’s header, and Dunnigan netted a pair of tallies off corner kick setups. Newtown’s defensive effort limited New Fairfield to three shots on goal.

The Nighthawks, after Thursday’s New Milford game, will conclude a stretch of three straight at home with a Saturday, October 15, battle with Brookfield at Blue & Gold. Game time is 6 pm.