Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team won its Class LL State Tournament first-round game. The No. 17 Nighthawks visited No. 16 Glastonbury and prevailed 2-1 on November 6.

Lola Kessler scored a tap-in midway through the first half, off a cross from Ella Morits who took her defender from midfield to the end line, got around her and served the ball across the box where Kessler was waiting on the far post.

Glastonbury took over possession in the second half as the Nighthawks sat farther back to defend. Goalkeeper Grace Newsom caught, scooped, and smothered 12 shots as she preserved the one-goal lead.

With five minutes left, the Nighthawks broke out on a counter attack. Sydney Oltran received a cross in the box and squared it to Kessler who netted her second of the game. This was Kessler’s first game back since injuring her ankle in the last regular-season contest. “She came up clutch for us in the win,” Newtown Coach Adam Bourret said.

Glastonbury scored one from long range just over a minute after the Nighthawks went up 2-0. Newtown’s defense closed things out over the final three-plus minutes.

“Proud of our team and our backline once again — they bent but refused to break. It wasn’t pretty but a great result against a great program,” Bourret said.

The Hawks advanced to the second round to face No. 1 Mercy of Middletown (16-0), at Xavier High, Wednesday, November 8, at 7 pm.

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