Suffolk News-Herald

Lightning didn’t strike twice for the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy lacrosse team Wednesday, as Norfolk Academy avenged the first-ever defeat the Saints handed them on April 15, knocking host NSA out of the TCIS tournament with a 13-10 victory. A four-goal splurge in the second quarter made the difference for the Bulldogs, who finished third – one place behind NSA – in the regular season.

Kyle Jett struck first for the Saints, taking an assist from Bobby Flintoff 93 seconds into the game. But the Bulldogs pushed in four goals over the remainder of the first period, and four more in the second to go up, 8-3. Joe Vidarte passed to Flintoff and Willis Taylor for the second-period NSA goals.

Adam Nash fired NSA up by launching an assist down the right sideline to Vidarte, who motored past the NA defense for a goal two minutes into the second half. The Bulldogs scored, but NSA goalkeeper Matt Holloman tossed a pass to center midfield and Ryland Gwaltney, and Gwaltney passed to Vidarte on the right side for another goal.

Back 10-5 in the fourth, NSA made one last run. Chris Buttery passed to Vidarte for a goal with 7:34 left, and Taylor bounced a shot off the goalkeeper’s stomach, where it ricocheted to Nash with five minutes left. Taylor passed to Vidarte to get as close as 11-8 with four minutes to play, but NA knocked in two quick goals to ice the game. Flintoff scored two goals in the final minute, off assists from Taylor and Vidarte.

The Saints still have a shot to play in Division I state competition, as they’re currently ranked seventh with four days left in the season. If the Saints are still in the top eight come Saturday, they’ll head elsewhere to play at state (only the top four teams play at home).