Newtown High School's boys' soccer team posted a 3-0 victory over visiting Norwich Free Academy in the first round of the Class LL State Tournament on Halloween.

No. 11 Newtown dominated No. 22 NFA and could easily have won by a lot more if not for some tremendous visiting team goalkeeping. But the Nighthawks still scored plenty, with two in the opening half, to comfortably advance.

Jeff Prout set up Noah Kooper for the first goal and Ryan Payne's corner kick was headed in by Luke Libero in the opening half. Prout's second-half corner set up a goal by Landon Dorsey in the second half.

Great passing and movement by the Nighthawks created numerous other chances that were turned aside.

"Ball movement was excellent, senior leadership was great, energy was excellent," NHS Coach Ryan Lyddy said.

The Nighthawks will visit No 6 South Windsor in the second round Monday, November 3 at 2 pm. This is a rematch of a game that was rescheduled and played on the last day of the regular season, October 18; the Hawks ventured to South Windsor and rested many of their regular with the conference tournament set to start two days later. Newtown lost the game 2-0 and enters into the rematch with some confidence given they are healthier, rested, and ready to roll.

"We know their style, we know their fans, and the great thing is they don't know who we are," Lyddy said.

If the Nighthawks are able to pull off the on-paper upset they will play the winner of No. 3 Farmington and No. 14 Amity of Woodbridge Thursday, November 6 (time to be announced) in the quarterfinals.