By Kim J. Harmon

 

NORWALK – For a young team that had its moments of doubt and insecurity (remember the 2-1 loss to Immaculate in the South-West Conference finals?), the Newtown High School girls’ soccer team was mighty confident heading into the CIAC Class LL state championship game Saturday night against Trumbull at Norwalk High School.

“One of the biggest lessons in life is that you learn more from losing than you do from winning,” said head coach Rupert de los Reyes, brought in four years ago to take over for John Kostelis. “It’s how you rebound and refocus that’s important.”

The Lady Nighthawks rebounded, all right. And re-focused.

With wins over Hall of West Hartford (2-1) in the second round, Amity of Woodbridge (1-0) in the quarterfinals and Mercy of Middletown (2-1) in the semifinals, the No. 3-ranked ‘Hawks (18-3-0 on the year) found themselves in the Class LL championship game on the fast track at Norwalk High last Saturday and were not about to let this opportunity slip through their fingers.

“We knew what we had to do to pick everything up,” said sophomore sweeper Kyla Miles. “It was all about emotion. We saw the boys win the SWCs and the states and we were, wow, let’s do it.”

Miles was at the heart of a nearly impenetrable defense – a defense that was driven by young players like Miles, Kristi Nowak (sophomore), Gabby Nastri (freshman) and Sarah Peters (sophomore) with veteran leadership from Stacy Shpunt (senior), Kristen Davis (senior) and Tara Gaston (junior). And behind it all was senior goaltender Ashley LaRocque, whose decision to come out and patrol the net for the first time in four years turned out to be a spectacular one.

“This is a great group of girls and I just came in to help out,” said LaRocque. “But Newtown soccer is like an epidemic. It just takes you over.”

And the ‘Hawks took over the game from the opening kick. The Lady Eagles finished 16-6-1 and were ranked No. 12 in Class LL, but it was clear they did not have the strength up front to pressure the Newtown defense or the defensive presence to keep the ‘Hawks away from the goal.

“We thought if we played our best it would be ours,” said senior Mary Anders. “All of us had to pull our own weight. The SWCs was a let down, but after all that has happened it has been worth it. I’m really going to miss these girls.”

The ‘Hawks fired the opening salvo with 15:29 left in the first half. Alex Konneker burst through the middle of the Trumbull defense on a floater into the box and – without the need of getting the ball to her feet – pushed the ball off her torso past Trumbull goaltender Deena Elmaghrabi.

The ‘Hawks continued to control the ball, pressure the defense, and keep the heat off LaRocque.

“Day in and day out, I have been completely confident in the midfield and the defense,” said LaRocque, who needed to make just four saves on the evening. “I give them all the credit and they deserve it for keeping the pressure off me.”

While the 1-0 lead didn’t seem as tenuous as 1-0 leads off are, the ‘Hawks got an insurance goal with 11:31 left in the second half. Konneker brought a ball down to the end line and – after saving it from slipping out of bounds – popped a crossing pass into the box to Frobey, who drop kicked a shot over Elmaghrabi’s head for the 2-0 lead.

The ‘Hawks staved off a couple of late pushes in the waning moments and even had a couple more scoring opportunities before the final horn sounded and they were able to celebrate their coveted championship.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Miles. “Everything you’ve worked for, the days you didn’t feel like practicing – it makes everything worth it.”

And it was a long time coming for a team that has always seemed to be in the hunt ever since de los Reyes took over the reins.

“I felt my job, when I came here, was to win a state championship,” said de los Reyes, who registered his 100th career coaching victory this month. “It takes time to build a program and we’ve built a program here. We have been knocking on the door and I told the girls it was time knock that door down and take it.”

They took it and – despite losing someone of Anders’ ability – may be perfectly able to defend it in 2005.

Newtown 2, Mercy 1

GOALS: Newtown – Stacy Shpunt, Casey Frobey; Mercy – Michelle DeSanti. ASSISTS: Newtown – Casey Frobey, Mary Anders; Mercy – Lisa DeSanti. SHOTS: Newtown – 11; Mercy – 8. SAVES: Newtown – Ashley LaRocque 4; Mercy – Sara Resler 9.

Newtown 2, Trumbull 0

GOALS: Newtown – Alex Konneker, Casey Frobey. ASSISTS: Newtown – Alex Konneker. SHOTS: Newtown – 15; Trumbull – 8. SAVES: Newtown – Ashley LaRocque 4; Trumbull – Deena Elmaghrabi 11.

PLAYER                                               G              A            PT

Casey Frobey                                     31            15            46

Alex Konneker                                   13            13            26

Mary Anders                                        8            11            19

Darcy Fiscella                                     6              2              8

Kristen Davis                                       2              3              5

Tara Gaston                                         2              3              5

Stacy Shpunt                                       2              1              3

Gabby Nastri                                       1              1              2

Sarah Salbu                                          1              0              1

Kelly Corrigan                                      0              1              1

Kyla Miles                                            1              0              1

Mary Ober                                           0              1              1

Colleen Thornberg                               0              1              1

TOTALS                                              67            52          119