In rematch between interconference birds the visiting Fairfield Ludlowe Falcons defeated the host Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team 12-10 in the first round of the Class LL State Tournament on May 28. The Nighthawks had won a 9-8 decision in Fairfield to close out the regular season on May 11. The No. 9 Falcons and No. 8 Nighthawks played yet another nail-biter with turnovers proving to be the biggest difference-maker in the rematch.

The Nighthawks scored five straight goals, capped by Brooke Bulkley’s net-finder, for a 7-3 lead in the second quarter. Ludlowe scored three to close out the first half and trailed by a goal heading into the break. The Falcons struck twice in a span of 12 seconds less than a minute into the third to reclaim the lead. Jules Battaglia scored seconds later, making it an 8-8 deadlock (the fifth and final tie of the contest) with 10:31 to play in the third quarter.

Ludlowe scored to take a 9-8 lead with 9:18 to play and added to it just 40 seconds later. After this frenetic scoring pace to start the game things slowed down with the teams exchanging turnovers and goaltenders, including Newtown’s Alexa Manfredonia, coming up with timely saves. There was no more scoring in the third.

The Falcons made it 11-8 with 9:02 remaining in the game, just under three minutes into the fourth. Newtown’s Summer Harrell got the Hawks back to within two on a free position shot goal with 8:20 left. After Mo Murphy forced a turnover Ava Mitchell scooped a loose ball near the Ludlowe net and converted to make it 11-10 with 4:48 to play.

Manfredonia made a key save with just under four minutes left, but the Hawks turned the ball over. Even after getting possession back Newtown lost the ball and the Falcons took possession with 1:45 to go and proceeded to work nearly all of the remaining time off the clock. The Falcons scored with 19 seconds left and that effectively put an end to things.

“I think defense did a solid job,” said Newtown Co-Coach Maura Fletcher, adding that Manfredonia was a part of that strong play. “We just gave the ball away too many times.”

Co-Coach Steph Suhoza noted that possession has been the name of the game this season. Getting the ball off draws was not so much the issue as hanging onto it was with Ludlowe forcing some turnovers.

Harrell scored four times, doing most of her damage in the first half before Ludlowe face-guarded the NHS standout. While marking Harrell closely opened some more space for teammates it mostly took away Newtown’s top offensive weapon. “She really sparks the offense,” Fletcher notes.

Mitchell scored three times and Bulkley finished with a pair of tallies to go along with two assists. Natalie McLean and Harrell each had an assist.

The Hawks had a solid season with a 13-3 mark in the regular slate.

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