By Kim J. Harmon

First impressions – unfortunately – were not lasting impressions.

When the Newtown High School boys’ lacrosse team jumped out to a 2-0 lead on one of its arch rivals, Fairfield, last Thursday in the 2001 season opener it seemed as if coach Brian Micena’s early season concerns may have been misplaced.

But things changed.

Things changed rather quickly.

Fairfield, a perennial strength in the FCIAC under coach Rich Allaire, soon tied the score at 2-2 and a few moments later – after Newtown scored another goal in a fast-moving first quarter – was well on its way to a convincing 13-4 win.

“I’ve been really happy with the transition game,” said coach Micena, “and we scored those first two goals in the transition game. The problem is, we don’t have enough guys to keep that going throughout the game.”

John Oliver opened the scoring for Newtown just moments into the first period and then Matt Saunders put the Nighthawks ahead 2-0 with a sharp bouncer from the middle of the box. Casey Kirch record the assist on that one.

But Fairfield soon took advantage of an inexperienced Newtown defense, which struggled at times to protect goalie Shawn Gleason in the cage. Fairfield quickly tied the score and then went ahead, 3-2. After Kirch came back with his first goal, shooting to the inside post, Fairfield scored six unanswered goals – a streak that took the game into the second period and left Fairfield with a 9-3 lead.

The ‘Hawks stopped the bleeding briefly when Saunders accepted a nice centering pass from Brian Hamilton and fired a quick shot for a goal, trimming the Fairfield lead to 9-4. But Fairfield scored four more second-half goals to ease its way into the win.

Newtown recorded its first win of the season, though, on Saturday with a 12-3 decision over St. Barnard’s – a first-year team. Saunders helped the ‘Hawks flex a little offensive might, scoring three goals and dishing off three assists to lead the way.

“We started to show a little offense,” said coach Micena, who was pleased with the efforts of Tom Ryan (three goals) and Kirch (two goals).

The ‘Hawks were ready to take on Glastonbury on Wednesday afternoon (after press time) and will return to action on Tuesday, April 17, at home against Brookfield.