When Newtown High School's girls' lacrosse team visits rival Masuk of Monroe in the Class L State Tournament quarterfinals on Friday, June 6 (opening faceoff set for 5 pm) it will be the third time the South-West Conference foes meet this spring.

They split the first two matchups with Masuk coming out on top on the road in the regular season and Newtown returning the favor with a victory in its visit to the Panthers in the SWC Tournament semifinals. The second rematch has a lot more on the line. In the season's final playoff the winner moves on and the loser is done for the year.

"It certainly is a game we'll have to get prepared for," said Maura Fletcher, who co-coaches the team along with Steph Suhoza. Fletcher added that the Nighthawks should have some confidence having dominated in a 12-4 win over the Panthers in the SWC playoffs. Newtown jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the first half after falling 10-6 to the Panthers in the first clash. Confidence not withstanding the Nighthawks know this could be a challenging game this time around.

"It's going to be a tough game," Fletcher anticipates. "We're definitely going to be prepared for it."

While Masuk was on its state title run last spring Newtown was in Class LL and lost in the opening round to Fairfield Ludlowe, one of the many FCIAC schools in LL. The Nighthawks escaped the FCIAC-dominated LL bracket this spring and had an easy opening-round game, a 20-5 win over Lyman Hall of Wallingford. Newtown is the No. 5 seed and Lyman Hall No. 12.

Things stand to get more difficult with No. 4 Masuk and, if the Hawks advance, other strong seeds in the semifinals ... and final. Top seed Simsbury, last year's runner-up, is on Newtown's half of bracket and could stand in the way in the semis. No. 2 Cheshire is the best seed on the other side of the bracket; NHS lost 11-7 to Cheshire in the regular campaign. The Newtown-Masuk winner will have to get past these teams or a surprise squad that upsets one of the top two seeds.

First things first is the friendly rivalry matchup — take three. And it is a tall order for Newtown even considering the recent success the Hawks had in this rivalry.

"They're the Class L champs. A lot of these girls were there," Suhoza points out.

The Nighthawk players are looking forward to facing their neighbors.

"Masuk's definitely our biggest rival. They're my favorite team to play — I'm fired up and I'm ready to play them," said Brooke Bulkley, who had three goals, six ground balls, and a trio of draw controls in the SWC playoff matchup with the Panthers.

Newtown dominated the possession game winning 14 of 20 draws in the SWC meeting. Natalie McLean had eight draw controls and four goals in that one. The Hawks anticipate Masuk taking what unfolded into consideration and forcing the Hawks to work hard for a similar outcome.

"We played really well last time. We'll need to make adjustments," NHS senior Jenna Lagan said.

Seniors Mo Murphy and Ella Macey, who helped limit Masuk to its second-lowest goal total of the season in the last meeting with solid defense, pointed out that the Hawks will have to continue to play for each other.

"I think for us it's a big mental game. We need to have the same mentality we've had all season," Murphy said.

"I'm so excited," Macey added.

The winner will play in the semifinal on Tuesday, June 10; the championship game will take place Sunday, June 15 at Fairfield University (time to be determined).

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