Suffolk News-Herald

The NSA boys’ soccer team ran their record to 5-1-0 and began their conference schedule with a convincing 3-1 victory against Bishop Sullivan Catholic Thurs-day at NSA, the Saints’ fourth consecutive victory.

Catholic came into the match with a 5-2-1 record of their own.

The Crusaders began the afternoon proving their record, getting off to a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute and forcing Saints’ keeper Joe Vidarte to make five saves in the first half.

Following the break, the Saints struck very quickly. Thirty seconds into the half, a steal at midfield by Bennett Hart and a long ball past the Catholic back line of defenders, found forward Willis Taylor.

Taylor half-volleyed the bouncing ball past the onrushing keeper into the upper left corner of the goal, tying the match at one.

Head coach Francisco Sanin said, &uot;We took advantage of their (Catholic’s) high back line with better through balls in the second half.&uot;

The Saints struck seemingly out of nowhere again in the 68th minute.

Following a flurry of Catholic chances in the Saints’ penalty box, a long clearance by Vidarte was won by Taylor just on Catholic’s side of midfield.

Taylor dribbled past two defenders,

breaking into the 18-yard box.

Taylor then placed a low shot past the Catholic keeper’s left, and into the corner of the goal.

The two goals by Taylor were his fifth and sixth of the season.

Five minutes later, Patrick Whelan capped the Saints’ victory with his team-leading ninth goal of the season. Reid Leonard tallied the assist.

NSA outshot Catholic 12-4 in the second half.

&uot;We had to change our attitude, we had to be positive, we had to be aggressive, and we had to control midfield,&uot; Sanin of the second-half outburst.

The Saints hope to continue their success Sept. 28 at home against Portsmouth Christian.