DANBURY — Newtown High School's girls' lacrosse team, the No 3 seed, saw its conference playoff run end in the title game, but not before putting quite a scare into top seed New Fairfield. The Rebels came from behind to defeat the Nighthawks 10-7 at Western Connecticut State University on May 27.

The Nighthawks, fresh off pulling away to upset No. 2 Masuk of Monroe 12-4 in the semifinals, jumped out to leads of 5-1 and 6-2 in the pinnacle game. New Fairfield was within 7-4 at the half and outscored the Nighthawks 6-0 after the break with all of the scoring coming in the third quarter.

The Hawks got three goals from Natalie McLean and a goal apiece off the sticks of Gabby O'Sullivan, Jenna Lagan, Abby Ihlefeld, and Brooke Bulkley. McLean added an assist and Bulkley set up two goals.

Newtown dominated the draw and possession game early with McLean recording seven draw controls in the game, most of those in the opening half.

The Rebels made an adjustment in draw personnel and capitalized on some NHS miscues, including yellow cards which put the Hawks a player down on multiple occasions and turnovers, in the second half.

Nighthawk goaltender Emily Sachs made seven saves. Bulkley had two ground balls and Jen Socci and Sara Ruddy both had one ground ball scoop.

Newtown created some late-game turnovers and had multiple possessions with which to cut into the deficit to no avail.

"We came out on fire in the first half," said Maura Fletcher, who co coaches the team along with Steph Suhoza. "We beat ourselves in the second half."

Fletcher noted that unforced errors, yellow cards, and shooting accuracy hurt the Hawks in the second half. Fletcher also said the Nighthawks were looking to control the tempo more.

"It was too much of a transitional game," Fletcher said.

Even so, Fletcher and Suhoza were pleased with Newtown's SWC run.

"We knew we were the underdogs," Fletcher said.

"We're proud that they fought 'til the last minute — just proud they never gave up," Suhoza said.