By Kim J. Harmon

It seems as if Jonathan Law has always been a thorn in the side of the Newtown High School boys’ soccer team.

But it wasn’t on Monday – not even when you consider that one (and only) second-half goal that somehow got through the Newtown defense and under the hands of CIAC Class L All-State goaltender Matt Pachniuk – as the ‘Hawks opened the 2001 season with a convincing, 5-1 win.

Last year, the ‘Hawks tied Law, 2-2, after getting a 2-0 lead early. Newtown has won only twice in the last four meetings with its Milford rivals.

But last year the ‘Hawks were also shut out seven times. The 2001 version of the ‘Hawks may have that particular problem solved.

Not only did junior Mike Troy score four goals – the opener within the first 97 seconds of the game – but guys like Ryan Tracy (one goal), Marcus Tracy, Ian Walker and Matt McFadden (three assists) showed off a bit of what the Nighthawks are going to be all about in 2001.

Quickness.

Crisp passing.

And goals.

Just a week or so ago, head coach Brian Neumeyer was glowing in his assessment of the potential the Nighthawks – with a record of 9-3-4 a year ago – had for the new season and they did not disappoint on Monday.

Troy scored quickly at the 1:37 mark and then added his second goal in the 17th minute and third goal in the 27th minute. The last one was a thing of toughness – if not beauty – as Troy got a soft touch from Ryan Tracy, fought two defenders for possession, bullied his way into the box and left right-footed a low shot past goaltender Kevin Hanson.

Ryan Tracy broke up the first-half, natural hat trick when he scored in the 12th minute.

Just like that, Newtown led 4-0 at the half.

McFadden had three assists in that barrage.

Troy wasn’t done with his business. In the 56th minute, he put the Nighthawks ahead, 5-0, with another tough effort. The junior striker rushed through the Law defense to gather in a looping, overhead pass, beat his defender, and then curled inside and took a tough-angle shot that squirted through the hands of the goaltender at the right post.

The one thing that kept it from being a perfect afternoon was the goal scored by Mark Lavecchia of Law in the 62nd minute. A pass from the near side somehow breached the Newtown defense inside the penalty box and Lavecchia was there to punch it past Pachniuk for the score.

But the ‘Hawks remained unscathed the rest of the way – largely due to the efforts of players like Walker, David Kugielsky, Sean Rawson, Jake Rouse and Derek Miles. The ‘Hawks were not only quick to the ball, but passed it extremely well.

Yes, Jonathan Law has always seemed to be a thorn in the side of the Nighthawks.

Just not on Monday.

After the Rosh Hashanah holiday, the ‘Hawks – who anxiously await the return of senior Colin Armstrong – returned to the field on Thursday for a game at Weston and on Saturday will travel to Bridgeport for a 10:30 am game against Kolbe-Cathedral. On Tuesday, September 25, the ‘Hawks will host Stratford in a 6 pm contest at Treadwell Park.