By Kim J. Harmon

STRATFORD – It was a war.

Newtown and Bunnell did not get together for a typical South-West Conference soccer game last Thursday in Stratford – oh no, this one had a lot more pushing, tripping, elbowing, and kicking than your typical soccer game.

It didn’t stop the Nighthawks from winning the game, though, 2-0.

“We knew they would some out hard in this game,” said co-captain Shannon Rouse, who scored the first goal on a penalty kick early in the second half. “Last year we were down 3-0 at the half and came back to win 5-3, so we had a lot at stake in this one.”

Bunnell played like it had a lot at stake all right – a lot of frustration, too. The first half was very physical and rough nature of the play probably did a lot to get the ‘Hawks out of the type of game that enabled them to beat Bethel, 4-0, just a couple days before.

No, the ‘Hawks did not get to the ball that well in the first half and the passes certainly weren’t as crisp.

“I think we were a little shaken,” explains Rouse, “but we regained our composure for the second half.”

Yes, the ‘Hawks regained their composure in the second half but also managed to match the Bulldogs in their physicality. The ‘Hawks toughened up and took charge of the game. Early in the second half, Colleen Davis was taken down hard in the box and the referee blew the whistle, calling for the penalty kick. Rouse lined it up and – even though the goalie guessed correctly – punched it to the upper right corner for a 1-0 Newtown lead.

Then, with 20:02 left to play, freshman Chelsea Morin added the clincher when she corralled a rebound on a shot by Davis, had time to line it up, and booted it to the left post for a 2-0 Newtown lead.

When the Bulldogs pulled their fullbacks up a bit, Newtown got a few more opportunities to score. Morin, in fact, got two beautiful breaks that were nearly converted into goals. With the backs up, though, the Bulldogs also had a few more opportunities to score – but goaltender Kate Bouteiller stood tough in the net.

She made her finest save of the game with 2:52 left to play. Bunnell brought the ball down all the way to the end line, to the right of the goal, and then made a near impossible cross into the box. Bouteiller reached out to stop the shot and then had to scramble to cover it up as a Bulldog forward converged on the loose ball.

It was Bunnell’s final serious challenge of the night.

With the win, the ‘Hawks raised their record to 8-1 (the only loss, remember, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Joel Barlow). They boosted that record to 9-1 with an 8-0 pounding of Jonathan Law on Saturday.

In that game, Erin McDonald, Davis and Morin scored two goals apiece while Rouse and April Scheuerell scored one each. Davis and Morin chipped in with two assists apiece. Bouteiller and Alison Smith shared time in the net and only had to make two saves.

Newtown scored all eight goals in the first half.

On Tuesday, the ‘Hawks raised their record to 10-1 with a 4-0 win over Foran. Carrie Lipnick scored a pair of goals while Rouse and Morin each had one. Rouse, Morin  and Davis also turned in assists.

Even though the South-West Conference playoffs are looming (just eight days away) and the ‘Hawks a lock for one of the eight positions, there are still a few more games to play. The most interesting, though, is the one that will pit Newtown and Lauralton Hall against one another on Monday night at the stadium. The ‘Hawks will be looking to avenge a 4-3 loss suffered last year in Milford.

In that game, Newtown fell into a 2-0 hole before rallying.

After Hall, the ‘Hawks will complete the regular season in Southbury on Wednesday, October 25. The SWC quarter-finals will start on Saturday, October 28, at the home of the higher-ranked team (the ‘Hawks should be one of the top three).

The semi-finals will be Wednesday, November 1, with the finals to follow on Friday, November 3, at Joel Barlow.

Do the ‘Hawks have a shot?

“I think if we keep our spirits up and work hard, we’ll be fine,” said Rouse.

NOTE: The ‘Hawks have allowed just three goals all season – one to Weston in the season opener and then two to Joel Barlow in their only loss so far. The defense has thus recorded an incredible nine shutouts.