Battling for position in the upcoming South-West Conference Tournament, Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team settled for a 1-1 tie at home against Bethel, at Treadwell Park, on October 10, then dropped a 1-0 decision to visiting Masuk of Monroe, under the lights at Blue & Gold Stadium on a chilly, windy October 15 evening.

Both outcomes were a bit disappointing for the Nighthawks given how things transpired. Bethel (with a win-loss-tie record of 8-1-3 in conference play) stands in second place and a tie might seem like a fair enough compromise for the Hawks (6-3-3 after the Masuk game) given the level of competition, but NHS held a 1-0 lead over Bethel (on a goal first-half by Leah Morris assisted by Lyla Kopp) and saw the Wildcats battle back to tie things in the final few minutes.

Then came the Masuk game. The Panthers improved to 7-1-4 and moved into fifth in the standings, and with a chance to earn a first-round home game (awarded to the top four teams), while dropping the Nighthawks into sixth and destined to be on the road to start the playoffs. This loss was particularly tough given Newtown not only had some quality chances by forwards Leah Morris, Lola Kessler, and Sadie Singlak, but also given how — and when — the Panthers broke the scoreless deadlock.

Late in regulation Masuk striker Ella McGee got behind the defense along the right side and a foul was called against Newtown — in the 18 yard box. A penalty kick was awarded and, with just four minutes remaining, Bri VanDerheyden cashed in with a low shot to the left of Newtown goalkeeper Grace Newsom, who came up with a handful of big saves to keep things even for much of the night.

“It’s tough. It came down to one of those judgement calls but it is what it is,” Newtown Coach Adam Bourret said.

Newtown had some good chances to score but the Hawks either got denied on nice saves by Masuk keeper Kara Leandres (four stops) or some misplaced shots. Likewise, in the Bethel contest, NHS created enough opportunities to score more, Bourret thought.

“When we get our chances in big games you’ve got to convert,” the coach said.

The Nighthawks visit SWC top seed Notre Dame-Fairfield (10-1-1 in the SWC) on Thursday, October 17 at 6 and will visit one of the state’s best in Suffield Saturday, October 19 at 1 pm — then it’s on to the postseason. Good news for the Hawks is that they have been competitive with teams above them in the standings, including a pair of 1-0 setbacks to third-place Brookfield.

During the Masuk matchup NHS wore special pink uniforms and dedicated the game to Newtown Middle School Teacher Andrew Tammero, who has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic adenocarinoma.

“Andrew is one of the most selfless people we know. He has dedicated his life to education and has had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of the hundreds of students in his classes during his time as a teacher in the Newtown school system,” NHS Public Address Announcer Jason “J.” Edwards said to the fans in attendance who were asked to help in the soccer program’s collection of funds to help alleviate some of the financial burden Tammero’s family is taking on.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.