FAIRFIELD — After overcoming injuries, youth, and a tough opponent in the first round, on the road, Newtown High School’s boys’ lacrosse team came up against second-seeded Fairfield Prep in the Class L state tournament quarterfinals on June 1.

The host and second-seeded Jesuits seized a 6-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat the No. 10 Nighthawks 15-5.

“I think they capitalized on our mistakes, which is what good teams do,” Newtown Coach Scott Bulkley said. “We struggled against their defense. In a game like this, you have to match goals, and we didn’t.”

Especially in the first half as Prep completely shut down a generally potent Nighthawk attack.

Two goals by Jeffrey Garrity and one each off the sticks of Brennan Mayer, Andre Sokk, and Tanner Trede, accounted for the Newtown offense.

Sokk had five ground ball scoops and Kyle Shirk had four. Goaltender Jake Dandrea made numerous saves in a solid effort.

Coming off their 18-2 triumph over Brien McMahon of Norwalk in the qualifying round, NHS visited No. 7 Xavier of Middletown in the first round on May 29 and came away with a 15-8 victory.

Tucker Garrity had four goals and five assists, and Brett Pierce and Mayer each netted hat-tricks. Aiden Coleman had a goal and an assist, Jeffrey Garrity had three assists, Kyle Sullivan had two goals and an assist, and Sokk and Brendan Manka each scored.

“We played as a team,” Bulkley said of Newtown’s key to success against Xavier.

All in all, it was a nice season for the Nighthawks, who went 11-5 during the regular slate despite some obstacles along the way.

“We’re still really young. We battled injuries. I think, for the most part, these guys played above their heads,” Bulkley said.

Tucker Garrity played above the level of many who have stepped foot on the NHS lacrosse field. He finished his career as the all-time leader scorer with 345 career points, and he holds the all-time assists record with 174.

“It’s a nice career,” said Bulkley, adding that Tucker Garrity was fighting injury throughout his senior campaign.