A trio of Nighthawks netted hat-tricks to propel the offense in the Newtown High School boys’ lacrosse team’s 13-6 home win over Immaculate of Danbury, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on April 14.

After a 3-0 start to the campaign the Nighthawks fell 10-7 to visiting South-West Conference foe Brookfield on April 10 and 15-7 at Southington in a nonconference battle two days later. The Nighthawks got back into the win column behind another scoring outburst — the team has compiled 13 goals three times, registering double digits with 11 in the other early-season victory.

The Nighthawks scored early and often to build a 7-2 halftime lead in the win over Immaculate. Nick Stockwell, who factored into seven of the NHS goals, was assisted by Marcus Gerace less than two minutes in, then returned the favor, setting up Gerace for a 2-0 lead less than a minute later to set the tone for the night. Charlie Massett extended the lead off an assist by Nate Pickard and Gerace fought off some checks to cash in, assisted by Owen Hannah.

The Nighthawks went ahead 4-0 after one quarter and answered an Immaculate tally with three consecutive net-finders in the second. Stockwell scored and set up Gerace, then Luke Stewart made a nifty cross-field pass to Hannah for a laser shot, as Newtown capitalized on a man up situation for a 7-1 advantage.

The visiting Mustangs scored with 27 seconds to go before halftime. Newtown fought for possession off the ensuing faceoff and called timeout to set up a final-seconds scoring chance that narrowly missed. Still, the Nighthawks were in control.

Immaculate’s offense got going a bit in the second half but Newtown’s scoring prowess continued. When all was said and done Stockwell finished with three goals and four assists, Gerace had three goals and two helpers for a five-point effort, and Hannah made it a trio of Nighthawks with hat-tricks to go along with an assist. Massett scored twice, Stewart had a goal and two assists, Pickard registered a goal and an assist, Marty Dunn had two assists, and Stephen Jackson logged an assist.

Nighthawk goaltender Andrew Faircloth made four saves. Nick Stockwell had four ground ball scoops, Cole Stockwell and Asher Williams both had four ground balls, and Graham Spencer and Brady Brosius each scooped three grounders.

Andrew Corey battled for possession off draws and hustled to get the ball back after Immaculate faceoff wins. The midfielder and defenders worked hard to create turnovers and get to loose balls. Other Hawks with multiple ground ball pickups were Hannah, C.J. Manfredonia, Henri Quirk, and Tommy Kane

The Hawks will be home Saturday, April 19, when Weston visits Blue & Gold at 1 pm.

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