BROOKFIELD — After falling 6-0 to Farmington in the season opener on September 9, the Newtown High School boys’ soccer team took strides forward, earning a 2-2 tie at Brookfield High School on September 14 with strong second half play.

The teams traded goals back and forth, resulting in an exciting game for those watching.

Brookfield scored first midway through the opening half. After halftime, the Nighthawks turned up the pressure, attacking quickly as a team. Twenty minutes into the second half, senior captain Mark Sadowski tied the game up, finishing off of a corner kick by senior Mateo Moura. Five minutes later, sophomore Connor Muir found the back of the net off of a long throw by junior Johnny Moxham. Brookfield scored once more.

Newtown Coach Ryan Lyddy thought that in the first half the group played similarly to how they did against Farmington; after some second half adjustments, they found more success.

“We changed some lineups and formations, and the guys did a great job,” Lyddy said.

Lyddy noted that sophomore Yarema Stasyshyn was solid in goal as well, and that Moxham did a nice job in the back. Moxham and the other defenders shut down through balls by Brookfield to slow down its attack.

Lyddy added that junior Cal Lucas stood out in the midfield and senior captain Jake Gonski was strong up top. Lucas and Gonski combined along with other members of the attack with quick passes to drive the offensive intensity.

“It was a good team effort in the second half,” Lyddy said.

The Nighthawks will host Bunnell of Stratford on Friday, September 17 at Blue & Gold Stadium, starting at 6 pm, before facing Naugatuck the next day at 11 am, and Weston on September 21 at 7 pm, both on the road.