Newtown High School’s girls’ lacrosse team scored 18 goals on consecutive nights — the Nighthawks blanked visiting Notre Dame Prep of Fairfield 18-0 in a rescheduled game on May 7, then followed up with an 18-2 win over visiting Bethel on Senior Night the next day — and might have made it 18 in three straight games if not for the efforts of Pomperaug of Southbury goaltender Alaina Uva. The Nighthawks still had another dominant performance in an 11-3 win over Pomperaug.

Newtown’s offense kept the Panthers goalie busy as she made a whopping 19 saves. The Nighthawks might not have logged 18 in this one but still managed double-digit scoring for the eighth time this season. Brooke Bulkley led the way with five tallies and an assist to go along with three interceptions and a trio of draw controls, Nikki Kaplan and Abby Ihlefeld both scored twice, and Natalie McLean and Jenna Lagan both scored once. McLean had three assists and two draw controls and Lagan two setups. Jen Socci had two draw controls and two ground balls. Blake Heim-Sherwood had three draw controls. Nighthawk goaltender Emily Sachs made seven stops.

After dominating Notre Dame there was more of the same in the Bethel game. McLean scored seven times to go along with a trio of assists for a ten-point night, Bulkley had four net-finders as well as five ground balls and four draw controls, and Heim-Sherwood three goals.

Senior players Socci, Ihlefeld, Bulkley, Mo Murphy, Lagan, and Elizabeth Macey, along with manager Emily Godbout, were recognized.

Newtown improved to 10-5 overall with a 17-1 win in visit to New Milford. After a Saturday, May 17, visit to FCIAC team Ridgefield at 10 am it is on to the playoffs.

The Nighthawks are 9-2 in South-West Conference play, third in the standings behind the only two SWC teams to beat them, New Fairfield (unbeaten in conference play) and Masuk of Monroe (just one SWC loss). The SWC quarterfinals are Tuesday May 20 at 6 pm (opponent to be announced).

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