Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s lacrosse team defeated Covenant School at home Thursday afternoon.

NSA and Covenant are among the top 10 lacrosse teams, according to the VISAA Division II rankings. While NSA was ranked sixth, Covenant was actually ranked higher at third. But the tight game saw the Saints come out as victors.

“I’m excited for our guys,” Saints coach T.W. Johnson said. “That was a great team win. We have a lot of respect for Covenant. They are well coached and have good players, so to win that game I give credit to my guys.”

Eli Dowd led the way for the Saints with five goals. Johnson liked the way his team played at both ends of the field and were able to get key stops when needed. The faceoffs were key for the Saints in the game. Adam Soper and Parker Bono led a faceoff unit that helped the Saints in their win Thursday.

“Our faceoffs were a real difference maker,” Johnson said. “Lacrosse is a game of possession, and for us, we won a lot of faceoffs that bought us a lot of possession time. I credit our faceoff group and assistant coach T.J White for the job they’ve done.”

Prior to the Covenant game, the Saints were motivated. They knew about the rankings that had come out earlier this week and knew Thursday’s game was a chance for them to make a statement. This win will help the Saints continue to build their confidence.

“Whenever you can get a win at home against a ranked opponent, that’s always a confidence booster,” Johnson said. “I think our guys ae understanding week by week that we can play with anyone if we play well.”

Johnson also mentioned that they always talk about playing fundamentally sound and with discipline. They feel if they do those two things, they can possibly win big games ahead of them.

NSA is now 6-2 and will face Norfolk Academy at home at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 13, Covenant 11

NSA goals: Dowd, E. 5, Jackson 4, Cogswell 2, Leicester 2