NHS Girls’ Soccer Falls In SWC Final—

Hawks Come Oh So Close But Masuk Wins Again

By Andy Hutchison

REDDING — The Masuk High School girls’ soccer team beat Newtown High for the third time this season, and the most recent was the most heart-breaking defeat of the three for the Nighthawks.

The Panthers beat the Hawks 1-0 in overtime in the October 30 South-West Conference Championship game on a 30-degree night at Joel Barlow High’s field. The tourney’s No. 2 seed narrowly missed upsetting the top team. But Masuk senior Kayla Howden, who had missed a penalty kick late in regulation (after an NHS player used her hand to prevent a goal), avenged her missed opportunity by kicking in a rebound off a corner kick during a scramble in front of the NHS goal.

“It was a little bit of a mess. I think I got nudged — I was on the ground — the ball went off of one of our players and one of theirs,” NHS goalkeeper Emily Kluga said of the crucial play.

Kluga had played a solid game, guessing correctly on when to charge the top of the 18-yard box to intercept passes and gather loose balls time and time again.

The Panthers held a 7-4 shots advantage when all was said and done but Newtown had a golden opportunity to not have to get into the “golden goal” overtime scenario. Kasey Shulz, who lifted Newtown into the title game with both goals in a 2-1 semifinal round win over Lauralton Hall, clanked a hard shot from about 10 yards out off the top of the post, near the crossbar to the left of Masuk keeper Claire Pinciaro midway through the second half.

Schulz and Tania Domingos worked hard to get the ball deep into Masuk territory multiple times, the defense and midfield — led by Jen Brewer, who blocked at least one shot, Caleigh Boyle, Ally Modzelewski and Taylor Smith — kept the Panthers from piling up too many scoring chances.

“Our defense was rock-solid tonight,” Kluga said.

Newtown (15-3-1) had plenty of other contributions and nearly handed Masuk (17-0-1) its first loss of the season.

“It was an even game, I felt, the whole way,” Newtown Coach Marc Kenney said. “It was a great high school soccer game. We have nothing to be ashamed of. … Obviously I’m disappointed but I’m not unhappy.”

After all, NHS worked hard this season to earn the tourney’s second seed and got all the way to the decisive conference clash.

“The run was outstanding. They committed themselves to getting here,” Kenney said.

Masuk has had Newtown’s number. The Panthers handed the Hawks two-thirds of their regular-season losses, each time winning by two goals.

“We definitely worked hard. We had trouble with Masuk this season. Of the three times we played them I think this was our best time,” Kluga said.

The Hawks went on to the state tournament this week but lost to Danbury in penalty kicks in the opening round (see related story below).