Two Katelyn Yandle goals and a defensive effort that held on for long stretches of the second half were the two main ingredients in Nansemond River’s 2-0 victory over visiting York Monday afternoon.

In an evenly-played match, the two sides struggled to find any early offense.

The opening 15 minutes saw no shots from either team and only one Lady Warrior penalty corner.

Keeper Amber Shaffer was forced on two occasions to come far out of the goal to kick away Lady Falcon long balls toward her circle; but those were the only York threats early.

Yandle got her first goal in the 18th minute off River’s second penalty corner.

Yandle forced the corner herself with a 50-yard long run from midfield into the Falcon circle before earning the whistle.

Heather Proffit passed the corner to Yandle, who lifted the ball past one defender and then shot high into the goal.

Despite the shot being about five feet high when it crossed the goal line, after a brief conference, the goal was allowed since the York goalie was deemed the only Lady Falcon who could have played the ball.

For long portions of the second half, the visitors had the better of play, and River’s defense was put to the test.

The Lady Warriors passed, with two saves and a few more clearances coming from Shaffer.

York out shot River 5-2 from the half on, but that second River shot came from Yandle with 0:46 remaining and was good enough to clinch the victory.

A fluid display of passing through midfield by Yandle, Proffit and Ashley Aston caught the Lady Falcons outnumbered as Proffit, from the top right side of the circle, sent a pass past the oncoming keeper to Yandle cutting down the center of the circle.

Yandle got away a shot that found the empty cage.

&uot;We stepped it up pretty well today. we played well in spurts but we still had some lapses,&uot; said Yandle, &uot;but we feel pretty good about today.&uot;

The Lady Warriors (7-4, 4-1) return to district play today, going to Great Bridge.

andrew.giermak@suffolknewsherald.com