MONROE — Newtown High School's girls' lacrosse team, the No. 3 seed, defeated host and No. 2 Masuk High 12-4 in the South-West Conference Tournament semifinals on May 23.

With the win the Nighthawks will play No. 1 New Fairfield in the championship game on Tuesday, May 27; it will take place at Western Connecticut State University's Westside Campus beginning at 4:30 pm.

The Nighthawks avenged both a regular-season setback to Masuk and last year's SWC semifinal. They jumped out to a 5-1 lead after one quarter of play and built a commanding 8-1 halftime advantage.

"We prepared really hard this week. The draw controls made a huge difference between this game and the last game," said Steph Suhoza, co-coach of the Nighthawks, whose team lost 10-6 to the Panthers in mid April.

Newtown won 14 of 20 draws led by eight draw controls by Natalie McLean and three draw wins along with six ground ball scoops by Brooke Bulkley. Jen Socci added three ground balls.

As for the scoring, McLean netted four goals and Bulkley had three to lead the offense. Socci scored twice and Nikki Kaplan, Jenna Lagan, and Abby Ihlefeld added net-finders. McLean had a trio of assists and Lagan and Ihlefeld also set up goals. Goaltender Emily Sachs made four saves.

Despite being in control at the break the Nighthawks did not take anything for granted.

"We've been on the flip side," said Suhoza, adding that the message to the team was to have composure and maintain possession. "You have to play whistle to whistle all 48 minutes. Never count out a team."

Newtown overcame an 8-2 deficit to defeat Joel Barlow of Redding in last year's conference quarterfinals but made sure to now allow Masuk a similar comeback.

"We just had so much great, positive energy coming here," said Maura Fletcher, co-coach of the Hawks.

Fletcher noted that, in addition to the possession game, face-guarding efforts on a top Masuk scoring threat by Kayla Locke — call it Locke-down defense — helped to set the tone. Ella Macey, who had an interception, Mo Murphy, and Sara Ruddy also helped lead a solid defensive effort.

The Hawks will look to get redemption against New Fairfield, unbeaten in conference play, including a 14-8 win over NHS in April.