The third-seeded Newtown High School's boys' soccer team defeated the visiting and sixth-seeded Pomperaug Panthers of Southbury 2-0 in the South-West Conference tournament quarterfinals, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on October 28.

James Barden, off a cross by Tom Skrelja, opened the scoring with 9:33 to play in the first half.

Jack Oltran netted the second goal when he drilled a shot off a scramble in front of the goal, with 16:30 remaining in the second half.

The Nighthawks will face No. 2 Masuk of Monroe in the semifinals, Wednesday, November 1, at Masuk, beginning at 7 pm.

Newtown coach Nick Booth was pleased the Nighthawks got the win, but knows his team will have to turn things up a notch to overcome the SWC's other group of Panthers, a Masuk squad that handed his lineup a loss during the regular season.

In the quarterfinal game, Pomperaug got to loose ball opportunities too often for Booth's liking, yet his defense, backed up by goalkeeper CJ Trivers, held a clean sheet for the 12th time this season. Booth also wants to see his team possess the ball better, which it has proven to be capable of doing throughout the season.

"Is this going to be good enough for Wednesday. No, not even close," Booth said.

Against Masuk, in 2-1 road loss on October 10, Newtown got away from its possession game and sucked into a long-ball approach that Masuk initiates, Booth said.

"We've got to keep the ball," the coach added.