MONROE — On the bright side, Newtown High School’s young, gaining-varsity-experience girls’ soccer team has lost only one game by more than a goal (a 2-0 setback to a veteran-led Immaculate of Danbury lineup); this squad has been competitive to say the least, and in every game until the end.

That bodes well for the future of the program which, coming off back-to-back South-West Conference championships, is rebuilding following the loss of the bulk of its starting lineup to graduation a year ago.

There have been some growing pains along the way, namely a pair of tough-to-swallow ties. Newtown had finally broken the ice with a last-minute goal against Bethel only to settle for a 1-1 tie on October 27. After a 1-0 setback at New Milford (a team it played to a scoreless draw in their first meeting) two days later, the Hawks held a one-goal lead on host Masuk before seeing the host Panthers salvage a tie upon banging in a rebound with 2:44 to play — another heartbreaker by soccer standards.

“It’s definitely a good learning experience so we can keep focused. It shouldn’t happen more than once,” captain Emma Magazu said after the game.

This was Newtown’s fifth tie as the Hawks carried a 2-4-5 record into the scheduled finale, against Brookfield, on Thursday. Then, it’s on to the South-West Conference North Division playoffs for some more opportunity for these Hawks to develop.

As disappointing as some of the outcomes have been, Newtown has had some bright spots. Some of the ties, including a 1-1 deadlock against a strong Pomperaug of Southbury team, have been good ones. NHS also held on to beat Masuk 1-0 earlier in the fall.

In the rematch, Riley Powers scored off a Katie Rowan corner kick for the lone NHS tally. Goalkeeper Alyssa Bailey made key stops, including one during a scramble before Masuk finally broke through after being held scoreless by the Hawks for nearly two games.

Sophomore Hannah Snayd moved from the back to sweeper to help lock things down and was solid in the tie with Masuk. Powers and Rowan, sophomore and junior, respectively, continue to create chances up front.

“I think a lot of younger players are definitely stepping up this year,” Magazu said.