By Kim J. Harmon

DANBURY – Casey Kirch sure didn’t play like it was his first game in 10 days and John Conlon sure didn’t play as if it was his first game this season   . . . because the two of ‘em sure helped make Newtown High School’s 17-3 boys’ lacrosse win over Danbury last Friday look pretty easy.

Kirch and Conlon both scored four goals and assisted on three others as the Nighthawks – who hadn’t played since a 13-4 loss to Glastonbury back on April 11 – crushed the Hatters and raised their record to 2-2.

The ‘Hawks opened their South-West Conference schedule on Tuesday with a 9-5 win over Joel Barlow.

It was the Nighthawks’ first game in the newly-formed SWC because games against New Fairfield (April 10) and Brookfield (April 17) had to be postponed.

The game against Brookfield, though, was played Thursday under the lights at Newtown High School (after press time).

Against Danbury, Tom Ryan added four goals of his own, along with one assist, to power the Nighthawks’ most impressive offensive display this season. Matt Sullivan scored three goals while John Oliver and Matt Saunders added one each.

The 10-day layoff did not affect the ‘Hawks at all as the scoring began early in the first period. Sullivan slipped around an attempted check by the Danbury goaltender and scored on an empty cage and then Ryan scored his first goal off a quick scoop of a loose ball and a shot on another unguarded net.

Sullivan fed Ryan moments later for a far more traditional goal and then Kirch followed with his first goal off an assist from Saunders. That was Kirch’s first of three consecutive goals – the second came off an assist from Yemc and the third came after he shot, scooped his own rebound, and shot again for the score.

Newtown led 6-0 at the end of one period.

Kirch fed Ryan for a goal early in the second period and then Conlon – going to the left hand – scored the first of his four goals to put the ‘Hawks ahead 8-0. After Ryan assisted Conlon and Conlon assisted Ryan, the lead had been extended to 10-0.

Conlon came back again, picking up a rebound off a Sullivan shot, to post Newtown to an 11-0 lead.

That’s when the Hatters finally hit the back of the cage with their first goal of the game. Newtown goaltender’s Chris Body – who played all of the first period – and Shawn Gleason had not been challenged much to that point, but made the saves when they had to. Konstantine Rountos, in fact, scored twice in a row to trim the Newtown lead to 11-2.

Saunders helped get the ‘Hawks back on track, though. He passed inside to Sullivan, and although the senior got drilled by a defenseman, the ball bounded out of his crosse and into the net. Saunders then scored off a feed from Ryan to put Newtown ahead 13-2.

Danbury broke the action up, briefly, when Theodore Flandreau scored to trim the lead to 13-3. But after that, it was Sullivan, Oliver (off feed from Conlon), Kirch (off pass from Conlon) and Conlon (off feed from Kirch) in quick succession to lead the Nighthawks to the 17-3 finish.

The ‘Hawks will go on the road Saturday to meet with Brien McMahon in a 7 pm contest and then will host Fairfield Prep on Tuesday in another 7 pm contest. Then they will host Staples on Friday, May 4.