Newtown High School's boys' lacrosse team, the No. 6 seed in the Class L State Tournament, pulled away in the third quarter to defeat No. 11 Fairfield Warde 17-5 in first-round action at Blue & Gold Stadium on June 3.

Graham Spencer scored five goals and Nick Stockwell netted four and had three assists to pace the offense. Nate Pickard scored three times and Marcus Gerace, Luke Stewart, Billy Massett, Cole Stockwell, and Jack Meade also scored.

The Nighthawks led 6-1 at the half and saw the Mustangs get to within 6-3 on a pair of goals 13 seconds apart early in the third quarter before reeling off seven straight net-finders to carry a commanding 13-3 lead into the fourth.

Pickard made it 7-3 just 1:20 after Warde's quick two-goals, with 9:14 left in the quarter. Nick Stockwell followed up his shot that hit the crossbar and made it 8-3 with 8:38 left. Pickard whipped home a low shot 29 seconds later. A pair of goals by Spencer and one off Stewart's stick stretched the lead to 12-3 and Cole Stockwell added a lat-quarter tally.

Newtown had not played since May 21 and had to shake off some rust early on.

"I think our guys did a good job working through some early struggles, getting our game legs under us," NHS Coach Tony Fitti said.

Newtown played strong team defense led by the efforts of Cole Stockwell, CJ Manfredonia, and Henri Quirk.

"Those three guys really set the tone down low," Fitti said.

Newtown earns a trip to No. 3 Cheshire in the Saturday, June 6 quarterfinals. Game time is set for 3 pm but subject to change.