By Kim J. Harmon

An emotional win for the football team and a shocking loss for the boys’ soccer team made for a tumultuous week at Newtown High School.

The football team, dealing with a death in its extended family for the second time in just a few short weeks, closed out an emotional week with an exciting 35-26 win last Friday over Joel Barlow at Blue & Gold Stadium.

And the boys’ soccer team – having already suffered its first loss of the season, a 1-0 decision to Pomperaug – made it a shocking two in a row after dropping a 4-3 decision to Weston. It was the first time in maybe nine years that the Nighthawks have lost two conference games in a row.

The girls’ soccer team continued to dominate, the field hockey team pounded Masuk, the volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season and the swimmers dropped their fourth meet in a row. Read on –

FOOTBALL

Newtown 35, Joel Barlow 26

You can’t stop him.

You can only hope to contain him.

Sure, it’s a cliché – made popular by ESPN talking head Dan Patrick – but it was perfectly applicable to the challenge the Newtown High School football team faced last Friday night when it hosted Joel Barlow and running back Anthony DeSalva.

The Nighthawks knew that DeSalva, a powerful back with an internal combustion engine that keeps his legs moving until the last possible second, could not be completely stopped. Somehow, he would have to be slowed down.

How much the ‘Hawks slowed DeSalva down is debatable since he rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries, but the ‘Hawks – at the close of an emotional week in which one of their members, Chris Potter, lost his brother in a car accident – still rallied for a thrilling 35-26 win.

“We knew they would be able to move the ball against us,” head coach Ken Roberts admitted, “and they executed the option real well. But I think it was an emotional game for us and the kids didn’t quit and kept going.”

When Tyler Tarantino recovered a fumble on Barlow’s opening drive, the ‘Hawks were on the move. Quarterback Tucker Kass fired a 25-yard pass to Joe Bowen on third-and-13 to keep the drive alive, which concluded when Jake DeVellis rushed 12 yards off the right corner for the touchdown.

Barlow answered right back on DeSalva’s 15-yard run, but the ‘Hawks answered right back when Kass connected with Joe DeVellis on a 65-yard pass play (a nice pass, but a greater run by DeVellis) to put the locals up 14-7 at the end of the opening period.

In the second, the Falcons converted on fourth-and-two from the Newtown 20 and scored on a 20-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ryan Brown. After Carmen Parisi added a two-yard touchdown run with 24 seconds left in the half, the Falcons had a 20-14 lead.

The ‘Hawks didn’t waste much time taking the lead back in the third period. Facing a fourth-and-eight from the Barlow 14, Kass – who finished 9-of-14 for 204 yards and two touchdowns – rolled right and found Bob Lapple open at the three to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Kass took it in from the one to put the locals on top, 21-20.

“Tucker had a good game,” said coach Roberts. “When we protect the quarterback, he’ll be able to fine the open receiver.”

The defense came up strong on the following series, stopping Barlow cold on a third-and-14 and forcing a fumble at midfield. On the next play from scrimmage, Potter – who rushed for 76 yards on 16 carries – went 15. And three plays later, Tarantino shot through the Barlow secondary for a 27-yard touchdown run that put the ‘Hawks on top, 28-20.

The Falcons inched closer with 1:10 left in the third as DeSalva bolted 58 yards off tackle for his second touchdown of the night. The conversion pass, though, failed and the ‘Hawks clung to a 28-26 lead heading into the fourth.

With 10:11 left to play, the ‘Hawks once again converted on fourth down when Kass hit Lapple in the end zone from 23-yards out to take a 35-26 lead.

With 5:13 left, Barlow kicker Greg Colby was just shot on a 33-yard field goal attempt and all that was left was for Newtown to try and run the clock out. Late in the period, Barlow did get the ball back but Kevin Regan closed the game out with a sack of Brown.

The ‘Hawks will be in Danbury on Saturday to take on 0-5 Immaculate, but the following Saturday will head down to Darien to take on the 4-1 Blue Wave.

Newtown 35, Joel Barlow 26

First Quarter: Newtown – Jake DeVellis 12 run (Nelson kick); Joel Barlow – DeSalva 15 run (Colby kick); Newtown – Joe DeVellis 65 pass from Kass (Nelson kick). Second Quarter: Joel Barlow – Brown 20 run (Colby kick); Joel Barlow – Parisi 2 run (kick failed). Third Quarter: Newtown – Kass 1 run (Nelson kick); Newtown – Tarantino 27 run (Nelson kick); Joel Barlow – DeSalva 58 run (pass failed). Fourth Quarter: Newtown – Lapple 23 pass from Kass (Nelson kick).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

 

RUSHING

Joel Barlow – DeSalva 29-266, Brown 18-121, Parisi 7-21, Amy 3-8, Getman 1-4 (Totals: 58-420).

Newtown – Potter 16-76, Tarantino 2-28, Kass 6-12, Jake DeVellis 2-11, Joe DeVellis 2-5 (Totals 28-132).

 

PASSING

Joel Barlow – Brown 3-6-0, 25 yards.

Newtown – Kass 9-14-0, 204 yards; Jake DeVellis 0-1-0.

RECEIVING

Joel Barlow – Mercede 1-16, Dineen 1-9.

Newtown – Joe DeVellis 3-92, Bowen 2-59, Lapple 3-43, Kennedy 1-10.

FIELD HOCKEY

Newtown 3, Masuk 0

 

Once in a while, a team – even one with a modest 3-5-0-1 record – can put together an utterly dominating performance.

The Newtown High School field hockey team did last Friday on the turf field at Treadwell Park when it hammered rival Masuk, 3-0.

Now, on the face of it the score doesn’t look so bad. But the Lady Nighthawks unleashed a relentless attack on the cage and Masuk goaltender Kelsey Cox, recorded 23 shots on goal – 12 of which were on the mark and needed attention from Cox.

The ‘Hawks had the offense on the attack in the first half, uncorking 12 shots but unable to get any of those into the cage. In the second half, though, the ‘Hawks broke through and it started with a goal by Sydney Russell off an assist from co-captain Sam Wong.

Wong then scored a goal of her own off an assist from Hannah Tenenbaum to put the ‘Hawks ahead, 2-0. Steph Paproski finished things off later in the half, scoring a goal off an assist from Russell.

While the offense was pressuring Masuk, the Newtown defense was fending off the few challenges it received. The Lady Panthers got off just three shots, but neither Lisa Isabella nor Dana Metzger were forced to make a save.

With the win, the ‘Hawks improved to 4-5-0-1.

The locals were in Redding on Thursday to take on Joel Barlow and will host Watertown on Saturday night at Blue & Gold Stadium. Next week, the girls will host Brookfield on Tuesday night before traveling to New Fairfield for a Thursday afternoon contest.

Newtown 3, Masuk 0

GOALS: Newtown – Sydney Russell, Sam Wong, Steph Paproski. ASSISTS: Newtown – Sam Wong, Hannah Tenenbaum, Sydney Russell. SHOTS: Newtown – 23; Masuk – 3. SAVES: Newtown – Lisa Isabella 0, Dana Metzger 0; Masuk – Kelsey Cox 9.

 

BOYS SOCCER

Weston 4, Newtown 3

If one had time to sift through the archives or paw through the memories of local soccer fans, one would discover it has been at least six years and probably as much as nine years since the Newtown High School boys’ soccer team has lost two South-West Conference matches in a row.

And how about the last time it let in four goals in a game?

Please.

But the Nighthawks – with three SWC championships and one state championship in the last five years – have some people scratching their noodles this week after dropping a 4-3 decision to a Weston team that went into the contest sporting a 3-7-1 record.

That came on the heels of a 1-0 loss to Pomperaug three days before.

“We played really well in our loss to Pomperaug,” said head coach Brian Neumeyer, “and didn’t play well against Weston. We knew we we’re going to have a bad game somewhere – I just didn’t expect it there.”

After opening with a 2-2 draw against Joel Barlow, the ‘Hawks won their next six games before battling Masuk to a 1-1 draw.

While clearly not as explosive as in years past, the ‘Hawks have nevertheless been extremely polished and efficient.

“Our team and our program has had such high standards,” said coach Neumeyer, now in his ninth year with the team, “and this is the normal stuff that’s supposed to happen. We’re allowed to have a hiccup here and there.”

Weston took a 2-1 lead into the half and held on for the win as Wyatt Lonergan scored a pair of goals and Peter Scher notched a pair of assists. Tony Magliocco had a pair of goals for Newtown while Aron Fay added a solo.

The locals dropped to 8-2-2 overall, 7-2-1 in the SWC. A game against rival Barlow, previously scheduled for Tuesday, is set for Friday as of presstime. The ‘Hawks were in Stratford on Thursday to take on Bunnell and will be in Brookfield on Monday to take on the Bobcats.

Weston 4, Newtown 3

GOALS: Newtown – Tony Magliocco 2, Aron Fay 2; Weston – Wyatt Lonergan 2, Ben Fine, Peter Scher. ASSISTS: Newtown – Andrew Domingos; Weston – Peter Scher 2, Brandon Zaharoff, Ben Fine. SAVES: Newtown – Danny Smith 3; Weston – Jared Shaner 5.

Junior Varsity

Kyle Droniak, Ryan DiLuoffo and Devin Klein scored two goals apiece as the junior varsity Nighthawks pounded Stratford, 10-0. Evan Kennedy contributed a goal and two assists while Ben Mahony, Matt Gastonguay and Jeff DiNicola each added a goal.

Ryan Goodridge and Spencer Scott supplied assists as goalkeeper Zach Dlouhy registered the shutout.

In a 5-0 shutout of Immaculate, Cody Cullens, Gastonguay, Kyle Droniak, DiNicola and Eric Thornberg scored the goals while Sam Hoagland (2), Kennedy and Matt Slattery provided the assists. Steven Musco and Dlouhy shared the net for the shutout.

In a 1-0 shutout of Weston, the lone goal was scored by Gastonguay off an assist by Kennedy. Musco registered the shutout.

The ‘Hawks also dropped a 1-0 decision to Pomperaug on a direct kick.

VOLLEYBALL

Newtown 3, Masuk 1

Bethel 3, Newtown 1

Newtown 3, Kolbe 0

Oh sure, it was bound to happen.

But most fans probably expected that if the Newtown High School volleyball team (10-0 entering a battle last Wednesday against Masuk) was going to drop a match, it would be this weekend when it hosted powerhouse Bunnell.

But hold on a minute.

The Lady Nighthawks – who have only been extended to five games one time and posted six sweeps in seven matches – were sort of stunned last Friday with a 25-20, 20-25, 24-26, 24-26 loss to the Lady Wildcats of Bethel.

Sort of. See, the ‘Cats were 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the South-West Conference heading into that match. Meanwhile, the 12-1 ‘Hawks are ranked No. 2 in the CIAC Class LL division (tied with Staples of Westport).

The ‘Hawks took a 10-0 record to Monroe last week for a rematch with Masuk and came away with a 25-27, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 win. Morgan Knees had a match-high 13 kills while Christie Iwanicki added 11 more. Iwanicki added six digs while Knees added six service aces. Meanwhile, Jill Logan chipped in with seven digs and 23 assists.

In that loss to Bethel, the tri-captains – Jenn Blauvelt, Iwanicki and Logan – continued to play well and combined for 19 kills (nine of those for Blauvelt) and 21 digs (eight of those for Iwanicki). Also, Logan chipped in with 16 assists.

The locals recovered well with a 25-18, 25-22, 25-11 win on Monday against 1-11 Kolbe Cathedral. Melissa Fracker and Jocelyn Pasko had a chance to contribute with Fracker recording five digs and Pasko coming up with five service aces and a pair of kills.

The ‘Hawks were in Weston on Wednesday night and will host Bunnell on Saturday at 6:30 pm. They will visit New Milford – the only team to the ‘Hawks needed five games to overcome – on Monday before closing out the regular season next Wednesday against Joel Barlow.

GIRLS SOCCER

Newtown 7, Weston 0

 

Considering the fact that the Newtown High School girls’ soccer team had allowed just four goals – two of those at one time – in its previous 11 games, few were worried that the Lady Nighthawks would be victimized by Weston.

They weren’t.

Tania Domingos and Kasey Schulz scored two goals apiece as the ‘Hawks routed the Lady Trojans, 7-0, to improve to 10-1-1 on the year. In those 12 games, the locals have out-scored their opponents, 36-4.

Kristi Nowak had a goal and an assist while Darcy Fiscella and Brittany Papaj each chipped in with a goal. Kyla Miles registered three assists while Domingos, Jen Greenwood and Chelsea Fay also notched assists.

For Greenwood, it was her first point of the year.

Jess Halloran and Emily Kluga made one save each and shared in the shutout, the ninth of the season for the ‘Hawks.

The girls hosted rival Bunnell on Thursday night and will visit Joel Barlow on Friday (start time was TBA at presstime) before closing out the regular season on Monday when they host Brookfield for Senior Night.

Newtown 7, Weston 0

GOALS: Newtown – Tania Domingos 2, Kasey Schulz 2, Kristi Nowak, Darcy Fiscella, Brittany Papaj. ASSISTS: Newtown – Kyla Miles 3, Tania Domingos, Jen Greenwood, Kristi Nowak, Chelsea Fay. SHOTS: Weston – 2; Newtown – 22. SAVES: Weston – Alyssa Schaeffer 13; Newtown – Jess Halloran 1, Emily Kluga 1.

SWIMMING

Brookfield 95, Newtown 88

They needed a win in the worst way ... but it was just out of their reach.

After losses to Pomperaug, New Fairfield and Weston, the Newtown High School swim team was looking to change its fortunes last Thursday against Brookfield.

It was not to be as the Lady Nighthawks dropped a 95-88 decision to fall to 2-5 on the year.

The ‘Hawks were down as much as 14 points, but quickly rallied when Nicole Borusso, Dana Djonne and Kaitlin Hunt went 1-2-3 in diving.

The ‘Hawks still could not get over the top, yet pulled close enough that a 1-3 finish in the final relay would secure the win.

Brookfield took first, though, and the ‘Hawks had to settle for second and third ... and another loss.

Lizanne Kroon (100 backstroke) and Jaclyn Van Waalwijk (100 freestyle) were individual winners.

The ‘Hawks hosted Joel Barlow on Thursday and will close out the regular season next week with home meets against New Milford (Tuesday) and Masuk (Thursday).

Brookfield 95, Newtown 88

200 medley relay – 1. Brookfield 2:03.10, 2. Newtown (Kroon, Baylis, Atkinson, Van Waalwijk) 2:04.34, 3. Brookfield 2:12.46. 200 freestyle – 1. Lidrizzi (B) 2:08.81, 2. Iassogna (N) 2:14.42, 3. Harmonay (N) 2:16.64, 4. Wortman (B) 2:17.26, 5. M. Kroon (N) 2:17.72. 200 individual medley – 1. Magin (B) 2:22.78, 2. Atkinson (N) 2:25.82, 3. Marrise (B) 2:26.02, 4. Kroon (N) 2:31.92, 5. Zorra (B) 2:39.14. 50 freestyle – 1. O’Leary (B) 26.32, 2. Van Waalwijk (N) 26.67, 3.  Annie Hull (N) 28.06, 4. Craig (B) 29.53, 5. Borusso (N) 31.11. Diving – 1. Borusso (N), 2. Dionne (N), 3. Hunt (N). 100 butterfly – 1. Zerk (B) 1:04.52, 2. Craig (B) 1:14.97, 3. Lirrizzi (B) 1:12.26, 4. Legros (N) 1:13.32, 5. Carroll (N) 1:19.46. 100 freestyle – 1. Van Waalwijk (N) 57.72, 2. Hull (N) 1:00.76, 3. Wontwan (B) 1:01.53, 4. Lamchak (B) 1:01.06, 5. Marrisa (B) 1:04.28. 500 freestyle – 1. Magin (B) 5:50.15, 2. Iassogna (N) 5:58.29, 3. Harmonay (N) 6:08.59, 4. M. Kroon (N) 6:12.06, 5. Smith (N) 6:24.48. 200 freestyle relay – 1. Brookfield 1:51.59, 2. Newtown (Legros, Hull, Iassogna, M. Kroon) 1:56.35, 3. Brookfield 2:01.77. 100 backstroke – 1. Kroon (N) 1:09.05, 2. Marraya (B) 1:09.07, 3. Carnali (N) 1:15.02, 4. Legros (N) 1:17.46, 5. O’Leary 1:29.33. 100 breaststroke – 1. K. O’Leary (B) 1:13.44, 2. Atkinson (N) 1:15.89, 3. Baylis (N) 1:21.24, 4. Smith (B) 1:22.36, 5. Fragoso (N) 1:23.74. 400 freestyle relay – 1. Brookfield 4:01.66, 2. Newtown (Hull, Legros, Atkinson, Van Waalwijk) 4:09.46, 3. Newtown (Harmonay, Iassogna, M. Kroon, Kroon) 4:19.33).