Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team defeated visiting Bunnell of Stratford 3-0 on Senior Night at Blue & Gold Stadium, on October 12.

Rilind Limani scored twice and had an assist, Owen Baillargeon had a goal and an assist, and Bryce Benson also had an assist.

Goaltender Cam Trivers had his seventh shutout of the season (including shared shutouts with Rick Irving and Jeff Gioele).

Newtown Coach Charley Amblo noted that all of the seniors — Trivers, Limani, Baillargeon, Henry Vaughan, Garrett Mandaraon, Thomas Briscoe, and Will Pelisson, who is fresh off a five-week injury — played a significant role on Senior Night. All 22 team members on the roster played.

The Nighthawks visited Brookfield on October 16 and settled for a 2-2 tie. Newtown claimed a 2-0 lead before surrendering a pair of late-game tallies. The Nighthawks carried a record of 6-4-3 overall (6-2-3 in South-West Conference action) into Thursday’s scheduled visit to Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport. Brookfield, one of the best in the SWC, left the field at 9-1-4 overall and 8-1-3 in the SWC.

Joe Premus was assisted by Henry Vaughan in the 47th minute, and Jalen Minter, set up by Premus, made it 2-0 in the 56th minute. Brookfield answered with goals in the 65th and 74th minutes.

Trivers made half dozen stellar saves/plays.

Newtown Coach Charley Amblo was pleased that the play was heavily in his team’s favor until the 64th minute. Things did not go well for Newtown in the final 16 minutes. It was an odd finish to the game. The lights went out with just under ten minutes remaining and the Hawks clinging to a 2-1 lead. After a five-minute delay, play resumed and Brookfield maintained its edge.

Amblo notes that the team tracks ball possession statistics for an against during each contest, making for one of the ways in which he evaluates his team’s progression — regardless of game outcome.

“We were having better and better ratios as the game went on,” Amblo said.

After the visit to Kolbe, Newtown goes to Joel Barlow of Redding on Monday, October 22, for a 4 pm contest, then closes out the regular slate with a Wednesday, October 24 home match with New Fairfield, beginning at 6 pm.

“I think we’ve made a big jump,” Amblo said of his team’s overall play.

The Hawks hope to continue their climb with the SWC and state playoffs just around the corner.