Nansemond River’s colors are red and black. But for the past three years, the school’s field hockey team has been seeing silver.

As in silver medal. As in second place. As in one spot behind their local rival Lakeland for the Southeastern District title. As she geared up to begin her final year as a Lady Warrior, Ashley Aston hoped to push her squad over the last hurdle.

&uot;We’ve got a good core group of girls,&uot; said Aston, who along with fellow seniors Jessica Watahovich, Cristina Valdevieso, Amber Shaffer and Lindley Theroux represented the squad on the All-District team last year.

&uot;There’s a lot of older girls with more experience,&uot; Aston said. &uot;Last year, we had some loose ends, but we’re already coming together.&uot;

Ashley Fulton, Anna Key and Sarah Chambers are also in their final year on the fields.

&uot;I think we’ll have a strong season,&uot; said Theroux, who’ll be protecting goalkeeper Shaffer on the defense. &uot;We’ve got eight strong seniors and good juniors and sophomores.&uot;

One newcomer is freshman Kayla Johnson, splitting her time between forward and midfielder.

&uot;It’s been cool,&uot; she said. &uot;I already know all the girls and everything.&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com