After fending off a hard-working Pomperaug of Southbury squad for nearly ten minutes to begin the second half, Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team got one of the November 1 championship game’s rare golden chances, and the Nighthawks capitalized.

Emma Curtis pounced on a rebound after Pomperaug goalkeeper Caitlin Murphy dove to her left to deny Karsen Pirone’s low shot from the left side. Curtis banged the rebound home with 30:12 remaining on the scoreboard clock, and the goal stood up.

Top-seeded Newtown held off the No. 6 Pomperaug Panthers for a 1-0 win in the South-West Conference championship game, at neutral site New Milford High.

It was a contest that had overtime written all over it, with neither team able to generate many chances. The back-to-back shots on goal by Pirone and Curtis were the only ones Newtown mustered in the second half. Sometimes, especially in soccer, all it takes is that one key moment to make a difference.

Newtown Coach Marc Kenney said he told his players at halftime that the first mistake would win the game.

His Nighthawks made sure not to make any crucial ones. Neither did the Panthers, for that matter, except for the fact they didn’t clear the rebound.

“Really, it wasn’t a mistake. I was an opportunity that we capitalized on,” Kenney said. “It feels incredible.”

This was the Nighthawk program’s sixth time to the SWC’s pinnacle game, and fifth in a dozen year’s under Kenney’s leadership.

“It’s incredible. This is something that’s been a long time in the making,” said Kenney, adding that his championship is for all of the players he has coached and who worked so hard to help build the program into a perennial contender throughout the years.

“We just had a lot of heart. We really wanted it. I think they almost outplayed us in the second half but we had heart,” Newtown captain Keeley Kortze said.

The Nighthawks were put on their heels a little bit by Pomperaug’s style of play.

“It was a good back and forth game. Their speed was collectively a problem for us,” Kenney said.

The Panthers tied Newtown 1-1 during the regular season, but couldn’t break through against the tough Nighthawk defense, and goalkeeper Julianna Stavola, who made a handful of saves.

“We just had to play to our style and defend, and really just get after it,” Curtis added. “Amazing — it’s like the best feeling.”

“It’s the best feeling ever,” game MVP Pirone echoed, as she stood next to captains Curtis and Kortze.

“We’ve been together the last three years. To be together here and win, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Pirone said.