Christiansen, NSA break away for OT win
Published 9:20 pm Wednesday, October 7, 2015
The games between Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s and Norfolk Collegiate School’s field hockey teams have been nothing short of competitive this year, but a victor finally emerged in their second meeting.
After the Mighty Oaks returned home from NSA with a 1-1 tie on Sept. 17, the Lady Saints returned home from Norfolk Collegiate with a 1-0 overtime victory on Tuesday.
“It was a fighting match until the very end,” Nansemond-Suffolk coach Ashley Skinner said on Tuesday. “It was a great game to watch.”
And it was brought to a conclusion by Lady Saints junior Paige Christiansen with 2:13 remaining in the 10-minute sudden victory overtime session. She successfully broke away from the Mighty Oaks defense, creating a one-on-one showdown with the goalkeeper that she won.
“And that was our only shot on goal the entire game,” Skinner said.
The Mighty Oaks also had only one shot on goal, and freshman goalkeeper Sarah Christiansen logged a save.
NSA did not have any offensive penalty corners, and Norfolk Collegiate had only one, which came in the first half.
“The majority of the game was played between the 25s,” Skinner said, referring to the large middle segment of the field.
She said the Mighty Oaks probably had more control of the game, but the Lady Saints were able to execute on a breakaway that made all the difference.
Sophomore Summer Wood was credited with the assist on the goal.
During the Sept. 17 game against Norfolk Collegiate, Christiansen assisted the Lady Saints’ lone goal, which was scored by freshman Sam Williams.
“It’s always a good competition against Norfolk Collegiate,” Skinner said.
Tuesday’s victory got Nansemond-Suffolk off to a 1-0 start in its official Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools schedule, and NSA’s overall record improved to 7-2-1 this season.
The Lady Saints continue their conference schedule on Thursday when they host Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, and then they host non-conference opponent North Cross School on Friday.