Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team began the season with a pair of 3-2 victories over South-West Conference rivals, edging visiting New Fairfield in the season opener, at Treadwell Park, on September 11, and getting past host Brookfield on September 15.

In the win over New Fairfield, Sarah Houle scored the game-winner in the final half minute of regulation. Alana Murray and Makenna Cerney also scored, and Houle added an assist. Goalkeeper Meghan Doyle had five saves.

Newtown’s same trio accounted for Newtown’s offense in the second win of the campaign. Cerney and Houle scored two minutes apart to start the second half to give Newtown a 2-1 lead. Murray scored with just over two minutes remaining, from 25 yards out, for the decisive goal.

“The SWC, this year, is going to be as close as it ever has been,” Newtown Coach Marc Kenney said. “To get two wins to start the season, especially one on the road, is really good for our team.”

Last year, the Nighthawks had five ties, and Kenney sees a drive in his team to turn those closely-contested tilts in its favor. “We’re out to win. We’re not settling for ties,” he added.

Kenney might prefer his team winning more handily, but there’s something to be said for pulling out close contests.

“From a resiliency perspective I think it’s huge — it’s good for our morale,” the coach said. “The wins derive from being focused, playing for their teammates, and understanding that their responsibilities are for 80 minutes.”

The boys’ soccer team shook off a 3-1 season-opening setback at New Fairfield on September 11, with a 3-2 victory over Brookfield at Treadwell Park on September 15. The Nighthawks struck for their first goal only 5:20 into the contest as Scott Martin jumped to boot home a bouncing ball off a corner kick by Shane Gattey. Only seven minutes later, Omar Rodriguez took a pass up the middle from Paul O’Leary and scored for a 2-0 cushion, and the Nighthawks didn’t relinquish the lead. Brookfield answered with a goal that Newtown’s Paul O’Leary responded to with a net-finder of his own for a 3-1 halftime advantage.

Both soccer teams were scheduled to face Bunnell of Stratford on September 17 — the girls at Treadwell Park, beginning at 3:45 pm, and the boys in New Milford, at 7 pm. The girls’ squad will host nonconference opponent Holy Cross at Blue & Gold Stadium, on Saturday, September 19, at 7 pm. The boys will host Weston at Blue & Gold Stadium on Monday, September 21, beginning at 4 pm.