Girls’ Soccer Players Battle Through Pain To Play — And Win

By Andy Hutchison

Whether it’s a minor ankle injury, nagging shin splints, a hamstring issue, a cold, you name it … Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team is dealing with it. But that hasn’t slowed down the Nighthawks as they roll into the South-West Conference Tournament beginning in the final weekend of October.

The walking-wounded Nighthawks played Brookfield to a 3-3 tie at Treadwell Park on October 23 and, following scoreless tie with Lauralton Hall of Milford in the regular season finale on October 25, carried a 7-3-5 record into the playoffs.

Bridget Power, Melissa Buccino, and Tressa Scott all scored in the tie with Brookfield, which Coach Marc Kenney was more than pleased with, given Brookfield’s overall speed and athleticism.

“We did a good job of negating their strengths and we scored some goals which is nice,” Kenney said.

Among the players who have been playing through minor dings or colds in the Brookfield game were Power, Meaghan Carney, Maddy Keane, and Sarah Attanasio — who has had to ice her legs because of shin splints after every game since day one this season.

Lauren Meyer has also battled injuries throughout the campaign. “Every day we tape her up and hope she doesn’t fall apart,” the coach said light-heartedly,” Kenney said of Meyer.

“They just know when to suck it up and they know when to really lay it out there,” said the coach, adding that his players showed him a lot in the Brookfield game.

“This is a good team and this was a great high school soccer game. I’m really, really impressed with the heart that the players who were on the field showed,” said the coach, adding that three starters, Amy Martin, Brittany Tolla, and Reagan Cerney, were all sidelined. What’s more, starting goalkeeper Casey Rutter left halfway through the game after getting dinged up and making two saves. Her backup, Caitlin Yakush, stepped in and made five saves to help the Hawks earn the tie.

Kenney was pleased with the play of Anna Bernath, Carney, and Buccino, who stepped up with a big goal against Brookfield.

“They’re just taping themselves back together and going out there, and it’s huge. I mean it’s really impressive to me that they showed that much heart,” Kenney said. “Tonight told me a lot about the other kids, the reserves and their ability to get things done. They did a good job and I’m proud of them.”

A give-and-go between Carney and Power led to Power’s goal, and Keane set up Buccino’s tally. Newtown broke a 2-2 tie midway through the second half when Scott booted a low shot into the net off a Meyer corner kick. Brookfield tied the game on a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box.

“I think it’s a good playoff tune-up because this is the type of game you’re going to expect in the conference tournament,” Kenney said.

“It gets us pumped up. It was an exciting tie,” Scott added.

Newtown will take on Pomperaug in Southbury in the first round of the SWC playoffs on Saturday, October 30.