Newtown High School’s boys’ soccer team went on the road and piled up the goals in a 6-2 triumph at New Fairfield on October 11. Jalen Minter and Joe Premus both scored twice, and Ryan Ruddy and Tanner Trede also scored for Newtown. Trede and Ruddy each had two assists, and Jake Gonski and Premus each had an assist.

The Nighthawks were well organized in the first half and with combination play to combat the windy weather were able to create a number of scoring opportunities, Newtown Associate Coach Justin Stevens said. Several fine saves by New Fairfield’s goalkeeper kept the score close heading into halftime.

Ruddy scored the first goal for Newtown by striking a half-volley from 14 yards out following miss-clearance from New Fairfield on a Newtown corner kick, and Minter scored by slotting the ball far post from close range.

Despite the first half score line, the New Fairfield team came out with high intensity looking to take advantage of the winds at their backs. Playing long balls over the top and applying pressure, the Rebels capitalized on a couple of Newtown mistakes to score two quick goals and make it a tie game within the opening 15 minutes of the second half.

“This was a true test of character for the Newtown soccer team, who rose to the challenge and continued to push forward in the search for opportunities take back the lead. Their efforts were rewarded with four goals in the final 25 minutes to open the game up and take control of the game,” Stevens said.

Premus scored twice, the second on a header from seven yards out on a corner kick. Trede capitalized on a one-on-one goal chance with the keeper following a long ball played over the top by Duncan O’Leary. Minter capped the scoring with a tap-in goal from several yards out following a square pass across the goal mouth from Trede.

The Nighthawks returned to their home digs at Blue & Gold Stadium with a tough task of trying to hand Weston its first loss in an October 15 contest under the lights. Newtown applied early pressure, including a left-side, tough angle shot by Thomas Armstrong that glanced off the crossbar following a leaping deflection by Weston keeper Devin Riley. The Trojans came away with a 2-0 victory.

Newtown carried an overall record of 5-5-1 and 4-4-1 in South-West Conference play into Thursday’s game with visiting Immaculate of Danbury at 7 pm.