Sure, Newtown High School’s girls’ lacrosse team is the No. 4 seed in the South-West Conference Tournament — which was set to get underway with a home quarterfinal matchup against No. 5 Joel Barlow of Redding on Thursday at 6 pm — but the Nighthawks entered into the playoffs with every reason to believe they are a legitimate threat to repeat as champions.

After all, the Nighthawks handed the top seed, Masuk of Monroe, its only setback in conference play. And the other two teams ahead of the Nighthawks defeated Newtown by only a goal — early in the season when the Nighthawks were not as healthy as they are these days. One was a 5-4 loss to Weston and the other a 12-11 setback to New Fairfield.

“I don’t feel like those early games we were at full force,” said Newtown Co-Head Coach Maura Fletcher. “It doesn’t mean those teams haven’t improved as well. I think we are particularly kind of in sync right now.”

Fletcher and Co-Head Coach Stephanie Suhoza have seen the Nighthawks reel off six straight wins to close out the regular season. The Nighthawks jumped out to a 7-0 lead after one quarter of play and cruised to a 14-0 triumph over visiting New Milford on Senior Night, May 9. Jules Battaglia, Ava Mitchell, and Summer Harrell all scored hat-tricks; Harrell added two assists and Mitchell one assist. Brooke Bulkley had two goals and an assist and Gabby O’Sullivan scored twice. Natalie McLean had a goal and an assist, and Nicki Kaplan and Jen Socci also hit the back of the net. Seniors Mitchell, Harrell, Battaglia and goaltender Alexa Manfredonia were honored.

The regular slate ended with a 9-8 comeback win at FCIAC foe Fairfield Ludlowe on May 11. Newtown trailed late. Socci tied the score with just under two minutes to play and Bulkley netted the game winner with just 20 seconds left. Bulkley and Harrell both scored three times, Socci had two tallies, Mitchell logged a goal and an assist, and Battaglia had two assists. Manfredonia made five saves. Possession off draws was critical in the second half for the Hawks.

In their regular-season meeting the Nighthawks edged Barlow 7-6. Newtown won three of five games decided by just one goal, including that wild 11-10 comeback at Conard of West Hartford when the Hawks overcame a 9-0 halftime deficit. Newtown has not lost a game to a conference foe since the New Fairfield game back on April 18. The only loss since then came to FCIAC team Ridgefield.

With a win over Barlow in the quarters, the Nighthawks may end up with a rematch with Masuk as the top seed Panthers look to advance to the semifinals for a chance to avenge a 12-10 setback to Newtown at home on May 4. The Nighthawks built a 10-2 halftime lead and hung on as Masuk battled back in the third and fourth quarters. The semis will take place on Tuesday, May 21 (time to be determined) with the finals on Thursday, May 23.

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