An unbeaten regular season spilled over into the South-West Conference Tournament for the Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team, which did not miss a beat in quarterfinal- and semifinal-round blowout victories. The top-seeded Nighthawks defeated New Fairfield 12-7 in the championship game on May 24 as Summer Harrell earned MVP honors.

Coming off a hard-fought 10-8 victory in its previous matchup with Pomperaug of Southbury, the Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team made the necessary adjustments to cruise to a convincing 17-5 win over the No. 5 Panthers when it really mattered.

The Nighthawks posted one of their more lopsided victories over the visiting Panthers at Blue & Gold Stadium on May 22 with a spot in the championship game on the line. The semifinal contest was no contest from the get-go as the Nighthawks built a commanding 8-1 halftime lead and never looked back.

Pomperaug was hanging on late in the opening half but a pair of Brooke Bulkley tallies in the final minute made for a comfortable lead at the break. The advantage grew to double digits early in the second half and there was running clock for about a quarter of the game.

“We spread the offense around a lot more,” Newtown Coach Maura Fletcher said of her team’s focus of attention in the rematch.

“We were just making it too easy for them,” Fletcher said of her team’s efforts in the regular-season matchup.

What’s more, goaltender Alexa Manfredonia, who made seven saves, played her best game yet, and the defense was lights out, Fletcher said.

Manfredonia said the Hawks have come together as a team to improve as the season has unfolded.

“It showed — it really showed,” Manfredonia said of the rematch with Pomperaug. “Today we really played together as a team.”

“Our defense really stepped up today and we really played well together,” said Gerace, adding that the Nighthawks were on their game at both ends of the field.

On the offensive end of the surface, Harrell led the way with seven goals and an assist, Bulkley scored three times and had a pair of assists, and Ava Mitchell scored a trio of goals. Gerace netted two and had an assist, Jules Battaglia logged a goal and an assist, and Natalie McLean scored.

The Nighthawks got eight goals from Harrell en route to a 19-6 win over No. 8 Bethel in the quarterfinals, also at Blue & Gold Stadium, on May 18.

Newtown led 9-5 early in the second half before reeling off six goals in a span of 7:11 to seize control.

“We were just taking care of the ball more on offense,” Fletcher said of her team’s play in the second half.

Bulkley had four goals, Battaglia scored three times, and Gerace and Mitchell both scored twice.

Fletcher has been pleased with the performance of her team this year, not only in that the Nighthawks are unbeaten, but given the way a somewhat new-look squad — which graduated half its starting lineup last year — has, as Manfedonia said, improved throughout the campaign.

“We strive to get better every day,” the coach said. “It’s just a team that really jells well. They work together, they share the ball. It’s like a big family. I think they make each other better.”

“I love it. It’s a great feeling. It really makes you feel good,” Manfredonia said of these winning ways, adding that she has great support from her teammates on the field. “I’m proud to be their goalie.”

Newtown begins Class L State Tournament play Tuesday, May 30, when the No. 6 Nighthawks host No. 11 Fairfield Ludlowe at 5 pm.

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