If members of Newtown High School's girls' soccer team knew ahead of time that they would score a pair of goals in the South-West Conference tournament quarterfinal-round matchup with Joel Barlow of Redding, they would probably have been feeling really good about the chances for a win given the regular-season results.

As it turned out, two goals wasn't enough as the visiting and fifth-seeded Falcons edged Newtown 3-2 under the lights at Blue & Gold Stadium, on October 29.

The Nighthawks hadn't allowed three goals in a game all season long - twice surrendering two tallies - and they lost 1-0 to Barlow on October 10.

"We got away from the things that helped us win 11 games," said Newtown Coach Marc Kenney, adding that breakdowns in communication and decision making hurt his squad in spots during the playoff opener.

Things started off well enough as the Nighthawks struck first, less than ten minutes into the game. Karsen Pirone assisted Emma Curtis for a 1-0 lead.

The Falcons responded about five minutes later, and went ahead just 2:59 after evening the score. Newtown goalkeeper Megan Doyle made a nice diving save to keep it a one-goal game late in the opening half and it was a 2-1 game at the intermission.

The Nighthawks threatened to tie the score early in the second half. A scramble off a corner kick made for some tense moments for the visitors, but Newtown wasn't able to cash in.

Barlow capitalized on a loose-ball opportunity and open net and made it 3-1 midway through the second half. That turned out to be a back-breaker.

Curtis gave Newtown some hope when she notched her second tally of the night. Curtis used her speed to get behind the defense and score to pull the Hawks within a goal at 3-2 with 8:41 to go. Makenna Cerney assisted the net-finder.

The Nighthawks will look to regroup in the state tournament, which gets underway on November 7.