By Steve Bigham

NORTH HAVEN - Rich Engel struggled to hold back tears as he was forced to come to grips with the idea that his fine soccer career at Newtown High School was over. He, along with 11 others, had worn the blue and gold for the last time.

The Nighthawks’ run through the CIAC Class L state tournament came to an abrupt end on Tuesday night with a 1-0 semifinal loss to Daniel Hand of Madison at Sachem Field in North Haven. Hand, the No. 3 seed, scored the game’s only goal early in the second half and then held a frustrated Newtown team at bay down the stretch.

Standing in the biting cold outside the team bus, Engel talked about how everything inexplicably fell apart during the game’s final 30 minutes.

“Once they put that goal in, they fell back. It was tough to get going after that,” he said. “This is the last time the seniors will put on this jersey. It’s been fun, but we wanted to avenge last year’s loss (to Wilton in the state finals). But you can’t do it unless you win.”

It seemed as if everyone was struggling to pinpoint exactly what happened in a game that seventh-seeded Newtown certainly could have won. The Nighthawks, who finished 13-4-2, seemed in control for the first 50 minutes, but then sophomore Bryan Finocchi managed to slip one by the Newtown defense nine minutes into the second half and Hand (17-2-2) never looked back.

“I can’t quite put my finger on it,” said second-year head coach Brian Neumeyer, who had been eyeing his second straight trip to the state finals. “Maybe in a day or two.”

Newtown’s chances of a late-game comeback were hampered when Engel, the team’s midfield catalyst, was hobbled with a deep thigh bruise. Despite being in obvious pain, Engel managed to still limp around the field – although his skills were clearly limited due to the injury.

With the victory over Newtown, Hand advanced to the state finals where they were scheduled to face the winner of the Wethersfield-Notre Dame of West Haven game (scheduled for Wednesday) on either Friday or Saturday.

Tuesday’s downer was a far cry from the elation following Newtown’s 2-1 victory Saturday over second-seeded East Lyme – which entered the game unbeaten. Despite the 90-minute bus ride down Interstate 95, Newtown looked sharp from start to finish, refusing to give in to the physical play exhibited by East Lyme.

Freshman Ryan Tracy opened the scoring at 31 minutes of the first half off assists from Rob Weiss and Bret McEvoy. Brian Gossling then gave Newtown a 2-0 lead off an Engel feed in the opening minutes of the second half.

East Lyme finally hit paydirt in the game’s final seconds on a header by Cliff Mistretta.

Newtown, which received a first-round bye, defeated Torrington, 1-0, in the tournament’s second round November 11 at Bruce Jenner Stadium. Rob Weiss’ overtime goal was the difference.

But those finer moments seemed so distant Tuesday night. Newtown was left to wonder “what if?” What if someone had been there to boot in TJ Wolferseder’s fine centering pass early in the second half? What if Brian Gossling’s free kick on goal had gone in and not wide (It had been so close some fans jumped to their feet in celebration only to realize it was no goal). What if Weiss had been able to hit the net after Wolferseder’s shot deflected off the Hand goalie. What if Gossling could have scored at least one goal with one of his patented streaks down the sideline in the first half?

“I can’t figure it out,” coach Neumeyer said. “Our intensity was there, but we weren’t able to combine it. Today, they beat us, no excuses. They capitalized on their one opportunity.”

It seems Hand has managed to capitalize on a lot of opportunities in recent years, winning three state titles over the past seven years under longtime coach Bob Faulkner. The Tigers were title-holders in 1993, 1995, and 1997.

Coach Neumeyer credited the relentless play of Hand, but felt his team had its chances to not only tie the game, but win.

“We just weren’t able to play,” he said. “They were giving us room at midfield, but we weren’t able to find it.”

At halftime, Hand bolstered its midfield with a few lineup changes. It may have been the difference in the outcome. Finnocchi’s goal was setup after teammate Tim Maclejak ripped a shot off the left post. The ball caromed off to the foot of Finnocchi, who knocked it in. Not even Tom Malloy could stop that shot.

This was clearly one of those games that could have gone either way.

“For the seniors, this is really tough I’m sure. It’s tough for me,” coach Neumeyer said. “This was a successful season, but we wanted to make it back to the finals. We’re disappointed.”

Newtown beat Jonathan Law in last year’s semifinal, then lost to Wilton in the championship game two days later.

Newtown recorded 11 shutouts this season.