A tie and a win — a pretty good couple of results in soccer, and exactly what Newtown High School's boys' team got, a 1-1 deadlock at Stratford on October 1 and a 3-1 victory over visiting Notre Dame Prep of Fairfield on a chilly night at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 6. Points to bolster the team's standing were earned, but Coach Tony Viscuso would have preferred a win and then a more decisive victory in these two contests.

In both games, the Nighthawks struck early to set the tone for 80 minutes of play but did not continue to finish chances, which proved somewhat costly in the Stratford game.

"We're not putting teams away early," Viscuso said. "We keep teams around and build their confidence."

After Kaio Dos Santos scored just seconds from the opening kick, Stratford found the equalizer and the Hawks settled for their fourth 1-1 tie of the campaign.

Newtown again found the back of the net early on in the Notre Dame matchup, with Kaio Dos Santos again doing the honors just 2:02 from the start. Kauan Dos Santos added a goal of his own just under ten minutes later, but the goals stopped coming for the rest of the first half despite opportunities. It was not for lack of trying. The Nighthawks generated numerous chances, including a penalty kick, only to see the Lancers get on the board and suddenly find themselves within a goal 10:26 into the second half.

Kaio Dos Santos answered the Notre Dame tally only 21 seconds later, a clutch response, giving the Hawks a little breathing room once again. The third NHS goal was set up by Malakai Ortner, who dribbled behind the defense on the left side and crossed the ball on the ground for the Kaio Dos Santos deposit.

From there, the Hawks continued to possess the ball and pile up chances highlighted by Manny Adomako drilling one off the crossbar from near the top of the 18-yard box and Noah Kaiser blasting a 40-yarder off the top bar. There were corner kicks that led to chances only to be turned away as well.

"That's been our kryptonite all year. We can't finish in the final third," Viscuso said.

The quick-answer goal against Notre Dame, perhaps, is a sign of good things to come. "I think it was a sign of the urgency," Viscuso said.

And those near misses off the crossbar were mere inches from the Hawks doubling their advantage. The Nighthawks will look to capitalize on more opportunities as the season plays out. Newtown is 2-4-4 and, beginning with Thursday's visit to New Fairfield, has six games remaining as the team tries to qualify for the postseason.

The Notre Dame game got a little chippy. Some jersey pulling on the part of the Lancers led to some pushing and shoving, but game officials settled things down and cooler heads prevailed.

Newtown wore special pink socks and the team raised money for American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in New York City, while also bringing attention to breast cancer awareness.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.