NHS Boys’ Soccer Team Comeback Ends In PK Heartbreak

By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team came all the way back from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime, then double overtime … and eventually penalty kicks, before finally losing a tough one, 3-2 (4-3 in penalty kicks), to host Staples High School in the second round of the Class LL State Tournament on November 12.

Staples, the tourney’s No. 5 team, survived a never-give-up No. 21 Newtown team to advance into the quarterfinals. The Nighthawks walked away disappointed in the outcome, but not in the effort they put forth.

Staples had won the Fairfield County Athletic Conference and Newtown nearly pulled off the upset after beating No. 12 and favored-on-paper Ridgefield, also from the FCIAC, in the first round.

The Nighthawks fell behind 2-0 by halftime but rallied on goals by Adam Buccino (set up by Eric Thornberg) and Josh Engler on a lob by Josh Barrett.

“We dug ourselves a hole in the first half which didn’t allow for us to win the game in the second half. We had to equalize,” NHS Coach Brian Neumeyer said.

Newtown goalkeeper Zach Dlouhy came up with 10 saves in regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods and had a stop in the round of penalty kicks, but it just wasn’t enough as the Nighthawks fell short in PKs in the playoffs yet again. Last fall the Nighthawks were eliminated from both the South-West Conference Tournament and states in penalty kicks.

“If you do it over again maybe we win — maybe they win again,” Dlouhy said.

“PKs you flip a coin really,” Neumeyer added.

Newtown and Staples battled from start to finish in a physical game in which the teams combined for 41 fouls. The five-round penalty kicks were also a back-and-forth battle.

Staples goalkeeper Michael McCarthy was the first shooter and beat his net-protecting counterpart for a 1-0 lead. Newtown answered on Matt Slattery’s goal and then Newtown gained the upper hand. In round two, Dlouhy stopped Staples’ Michael White on a diving effort and Newtown’s Jeff DiNicola followed with a go-ahead goal.

“When I got that I really thought it was ours,” Dlouhy said.

Then Staples drew even at two goals apiece when Matteo Marzoli scored and Newtown’s Sam Hoagland hit the post. Staples’ Gregory Gudis scored on its fourth round try and Newtown’s Evan Kennedy answered. Both keepers guessed right in the fourth round and got their hands on the shots only to see the ball go in. In the fifth round, Staples’ Alan Reiter pushed Newtown into a must-score scenario with his tally, but Newtown’s Josh Engler missed high in an attempt to force extra penalty kicks.

Engler had played a strong game, out-jumping his opponents for loose balls in this energy-filled game. Neumeyer was pleased with the effort of his team as a whole.

“With the effort that these guys gave today, against the FCIAC champs, I’m not embarrassed at all,” the coach said.

“We gave it everything we had on this field,” Dlouhy added. “I’m proud of what we did today.”