Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s boys’ lacrosse team that advanced as far as the state semifinals this year ended up with four players receiving VISAA Division II all-state recognition.

Saints selected to the first team included senior defenseman David Gough and senior midfielder Addison Peak.

This was the second straight year Gough received this honor from the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II panel, which includes coaches and athletic directors in the division.

“I was anticipating that he would be a first team all-state selection based on his play and the fact that he got first team All-(Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools),” NSA coach T.W. Johnson said. “David had a fantastic season for us and really anchored our defense.”

And Gough finished his high school career on a high note with his performance in the VISAA Division II state quarterfinals and semifinals.

“He just wanted to take on more and more responsibility on the defensive end, which is what you would want out of a senior defenseman who was an all-conference, all-state player,” Johnson said.

Gough finished the year with 85 ground balls, and he also scored one goal and had four assists.

“He will definitely be sorely missed next year,” Johnson said.

Addison Peak’s first-team honor was the first all-state recognition of his high school lacrosse career. Johnson said he was “very happy for Addison. Again, he had a great year for us and was really the guy in the middle of the field that made a lot of things happen.”

Peak stepped up his offensive production from last year, ending up with 37 goals and 12 assists. Having seen a lot of the top teams in the Saints’ division, Johnson said he certainly felt like Peak was one of the top three midfielders in the state, and “obviously the other coaches felt that way too.”

NSA senior attackman Whit Riddick and junior attackman Noah Dowd were selected to the all-state second team.

“They were consistent for us all year,” Johnson said.

Noting that Nansemond-Suffolk’s attack unit was one of the team’s strengths, the coach said, “If one guy wasn’t having a big game, the other one was.” And there were obviously contests where both turned in big games, allowing the Saints’ offense to be especially potent.

Johnson said both Riddick and Dowd have dedicated a lot of time to practicing and improving their abilities in the sport of lacrosse.

“As a coach, I have a lot of respect for them fine-tuning their game in the offseason,” he said. “That was one of the reasons they were able to have really strong 2015 campaigns.”