By Kim J. Harmon

MONROE – One thing is for certain, the 2000 version of the Nighthawks is so much more offensive-minded than any other team in the last 20 years of the program.

That was evident last Thursday when the ‘Hawks pounded Masuk, 4-1, for their sixth win of the season. Those were the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th goals of the season for the ‘Hawks – the most of any team since 1981, when the Indians (as they were known then) scored 12 goals in 13 games.

Despite all of that, however, there still remains the problem of how to beat Pomperaug and that particular mystery continued on Tuesday when the ‘Hawks fell to the Panthers, 4-0.

Newtown is now 6-6-3 on the season with just one game remaining before the CIAC Class L state tournament.

A Big Win In Monroe

For sure, the ‘Hawks were in the mood to play last Thursday in Monroe and unleashed a stream of offensive pressure on Masuk right from the get go. Problem was, they just couldn’t find a way to get the ball into the cage.

Kristin McGrath actually did get a ball into the cage with a blistering shot (one of three she had in the half) – but it was whistled for being too high off the ground.

It didn’t matter, though, because later in the first half McGrath came back down, stopped a clear by Masuk, and pushed the ball ahead into the circle. Mary Bell was there to scoop the ball off the ground and right to the upper corner of the cage for a goal.

Newtown led, 1-0.

Masuk managed some pressure of its own, but the Nighthawk defense – and goaltender Heather Morgan – were able to hold the Pantherettes off. Soon after, Abby Reynolds scored her first goal of the season off a penalty stroke and the ‘Hawks led 2-0.

In the second half, Elissa Boushell had the opportunity to get in the scorebook herself. Off a penalty corner (from Ellie Champagne), Boushell took the ball at the top of the circle and drilled a shot low and to the right and it tucked inside the right corner of the cage for the goal.

The Newtown lead extended to 3-1.

Sure, Masuk eventually put enough pressure on the Newtown defense to score a goal (Ryan Caulfield) but the ‘Hawks needed just 48 seconds to get back down the field and score again on a shot by Brittany Rayzor (assisted by Morgan Pacheco).

It was a convincing win for the ‘Hawks, who had a chance to relish that victory for five days before taking on Pomperaug for the second time this season.

The first meeting between the two schools did not go well for the ‘Hawks – not well at all – but in their regular season SWC final (a non-conference game with Shepaug still remains) they stayed fairly close to the powerhouse Panthers.

Still, the ‘Hawks fell 4-0.

The loss dropped Newtown to 6-6-3 on the season. Having already qualified for the CIAC Class L state tournament, all that remains is to see if the ‘Hawks can finish the season with their first winning record since 1981 when Newtown was 6-5-2.