Matchups with the two defending state champions, and both South-West Conference title-game finalists, Masuk High School of Monroe and New Fairfield — back to back — gave Newtown High School’s girls’ lacrosse team a sample size of what they will need to get through to achieve their goals and be at the top this spring.

The Nighthawks lost 10-6 to visiting and defending Class L State Champion/SWC runner-up Masuk on April 17. Natalie McLean scored three times and Blake Heim-Sherwood, Brooke Bulkley, and Jenna Lagan also hit the back of the net. Jen Socci recorded an assist. Bulkley had three draw controls and a trio of ground ball scoops, McLean logged two draw controls and a pair of ground balls, Heim-Sherwood had a draw control and two ground balls, and Abby Ihlefeld and Mo Murphy both had two ground balls. Goaltender Emily Sachs made six saves.

After a defensive-minded opening quarter that ended with the score knotted at a goal apiece, the Nighthawks fell behind 4-1 but clawed to within a goal at 4-3 heading into halftime as Socci scored and later set up Heim-Sherwood late in the second quarter.

After Masuk went ahead 5-3 the Hawks responded with the next two tallies after Sachs made a pair of saves on in-close chances. McLean finished a chance in transition with only 45 seconds left in the third and it was 5-4 Panthers heading to the fourth. McLean tied things only 15 seconds into the final stanza, cashing in on critical scoring area (CSA) chance following a foul.

Panther standout Bailey Bajda scored the next two goals and the lead grew to 8-5 before Bulkley’s CSA net-finder made it 8-6 and gave the Hawks some hope with 5:18 to play. But Bajda netted two more and finished the game with five goals.

The teams combined for nine set play shots off fouls and together had six CSA goals off foul restarts in a tightly-contested, physical game. Maura Fletcher, Newtown co-coach, said there should have been more calls made given the physicality throughout the matchup. Fletcher also said the Nighthawks did not have their best game.

“I think we didn’t play to our level at all today,” said Fletcher, adding that the team needs to cut down on mistakes to have success against tough competition.

“Possession — taking care of the ball when we have it,” are essential, co-coach Steph Suhoza added.

Next came a visit to defending Class M and reigning SWC Champion New Fairfield on April 21. It was a close game, 10-8 New Fairfield, before the Rebels pulled away, aided by Newtown’s fourth yellow card of the night, which resulted in the team being a player down from the middle of the fourth quarter until the final horn.

“We need to value possession more when we have the ball. Emily Sachs had 12 saves and really held it down with defense led by Mo Murphy. Clearly a tough week for us but a lot of lacrosse still left and we are looking forward,” Suhoza said.

McLean led NHS with three goals and five ground balls, Socci netted three goals, Gabby O’Sullivan registered a goal and two assists, Bulkley had a goal, an assist, and seven ground balls. Abby Ilhefeld had an assist and three ground balls, and Lagan logged an assist.

The Nighthawks, who are in Class L, have had a challenging start to the campaign with Class LL nonconference opponents Fairfield Ludlowe, Conard of West Hartford, and Staples of Westport all visiting in early April, in addition to likely two of their toughest SWC matchups early on.

“It has certainly been a heavy-ended start of the schedule,” said Fletcher, whose Nighthawks are looking to learn from the defeats and make adjustments that will carry them to the top of the SWC and state.

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