Teams thrive on momentum but a full week off from game action for Newtown High School’s boys’ lacrosse team immediately following its first win, a 10-6 triumph over visiting Masuk of Monroe on April 12, is actually welcomed like a teammate to a goal scorer celebrating with open arms.

“It turns out to be a blessing in disguise. Even though we won tonight we’re still not anywhere close to where we need to be,” said Newtown Coach Scott Bulkley, who plans to use the several days leading into an April 19 visit to Bunnell-Stratford (at Bunnell, 7 pm) to get his team up to speed.

Illness and injuries had seven players out of the lineup in the early going as Newtown stumbled to a pair of losses, 6-3 at New Milford in the April 7 season-opener and 15-0 to visiting Cheshire on April 9. Against Cheshire, Newtown goaltender Markus Paltauf made 22 saves in what Bulkley called the best goaltending performance he has seen in Newtown.

Bulkley was pleased his team put the ball in the back of the net against Masuk, and noted that Andrew Swierbut and Fisher Stites both did a nice job on faceoffs to help the Nighthawks gain possession.

Newtown jumped out to an early lead and saw Masuk claw to within a goal at 7-6 in the fourth quarter. Jake Bulkley scored twice, once after he drew a Masuk tripping penalty, to make it 8-6 immediately off the restart, with 5:22 left. Swierbut won the ensuing draw and Bulkley cashed in again, with 4:30 to go for some breathing room.

Mike Ihlefeld scored Newtown’s last goal, off an assist by Swierbut, with 3:44 left. Ihlefeld scored five times to lead the offense. Paltauf made a dozen saves.

“We’re happy to come out with the win. It’s nice to be back out there. We’re hitting our stride — a lot of new guys out there so it’s a learning process,” Jake Bulkley said.

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