By Kim J. Harmon

The perfect prescription for heading into a nine-day spring break layoff (something you can’t get at the local pharmacy) is to go on a modest two-game winning streak – precisely what the Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team has done.

So, with an 8-6 win over Danbury in the 2001 season opener last Thursday and a 13-1 win over Masuk (a first-year squad in the newly-formed South-West Conference) the ‘Hawks head into spring break at 2-0.

“Yes, it is a nice way to start,” said coach Sara Patrick.

This modest two-game winning streak, though, did not come without a little drama. In the season opener against Danbury, Erin McDonald and Mary Bell each scored a goal in the final 49 seconds to snap a 6-6 tie.

McDonald finished with three goals while Bell had two. Ellie Champagne tossed in a pair of goals, as well, while Morgan Pacheco added one. Jen Chuddy notched 14 saves in the cage for the Nighthawks.

The ‘Hawks took the impetus from that into their Saturday contest with Masuk High School, which was playing its first game ever (and that includes pre-season scrimmages, of which there were none). The ‘Hawks scored early and often and controlled the game right from the outset enroute to posting the 13-1 win.

Champagne finished with four goals while McDonald added another three. Bell and Meg Johnson had two goals apiece while Megan Anderson and Pacheco each contributed a goal.

The ‘Hawks will return to action on Monday against Cheshire and will resume their SWC schedule on Tuesday against Brookfield and Friday against New Milford. All three of those games are on the road, with the New Milford contest set for a 7 pm start (after a 5 pm junior varsity game).