Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team shook off a rough opener to put together a hard-fought winning streak — three straight one-goal victories — heading into a Thursday, September 24 visit to New Milford, beginning at 6 pm.

After a 3-1 loss at New Fairfield on September 11, the Nighthawks pulled out a 3-2 victory over Brookfield on September 15, a 2-1 edging of host Bunnell of Stratford on September 17, and a 1-0 blanking of visiting Weston, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on September 21.

“It’s good bouncing back from a tough loss,” Newtown Coach Brian Neumeyer said after his team’s win over Weston, a victory made possible by a fortuitous bounce.

The only goal was credited to Shane Gattey when a kick by teammate Elliot Bennett ricocheted off the back of Gattey and into the goal in the opening half. Newtown created its own luck by applying pressure in the goal area and, as they say, good things happen when you put the ball toward the net.

The Nighthawks had plenty of chances to pick up an insurance tally, but couldn’t finish. James Carney and Brian Araujo set one another up for second half chances. Carney crossed to Araujo, who went up for a header, but was denied by Weston’s goalkeeper. Araujo led James Carney for an opportunity up the middle, and Carney just missed over the top of the goal. In yet another chance, Gattey crossed to Araujo who had his shot broken up by Weston’s defense.

“It’s good that we’re getting first-half goals,” said Newtown captain and defender James Cochrane, adding that the Nighthawks hope to score more throughout games so they don’t have to sweat out nail-biters.

“We really need to finish the deal,” said Cochrane, echoing Neumeyer’s postgame pep talk. “We’re leaving it too tight at the end.”

Cochrane knows all too well how pressure-filled the end of games have been. He’s on the back line, along with Chris Rovelli, Jack Lavelle, and Mike Meyer, comprising a stingy defensive group that has had to hold off the opposition to help preserve victories in the early going.

The goalkeeping has been divided by Zach Laros and Nick Beourgouis — each playing a half — since both have earned time in net, Neumeyer notes.

“We’re working really, really hard,” said Newtown captain Forrest Weatherby, adding that the Nighthawks have to do a better job of maintaining possession of the ball in the midfield.

In Newtown’s win over Bunnell, Bennett and Carney scored, and Bennett had an assist.

“It’s definitely good to get off to a positive start,” said Cochrane, whose team carried a 3-1 record into the New Milford game.

“It puts us in a good spot a quarter of the way through the season,” added Neumeyer, whose squad returns home to take on Pomperaug of Southbury at Treadwell Park, on Tuesday, September 29, beginning at 3:45 pm.