Saleena Lynch was voted Duke Automotive-Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week after scoring two goals for Nansemond River High School’s girls’ soccer team win last week.

Lynch is a sophomore and a key contributor for a very successful Nansemond River team. They are currently 14-1 and are currently in the midst of their most successful season, record-wise, in school history.

Last week, Lynch finished with two goals in a 5-0 win over Bethel High School. She believed she played a strong game along with her teammates. Although Lynch had a strong game, she has not let that stop her from continually improving each day so she can be the best teammate and player she can be.

Her team’s tenacious spirit is what drives her, which has helped lead to a successful season for the Lady Warriors. The whole journey this far has been exciting for the Lady Warriors sophomore.

“To be a part of a great team and have a great coach is something I will never take for granted,” Lynch said. “It really is an honor to play with people who have such a strong drive to be the best they can be.”

Lynch is passionate about the game and her teammates. The Lady Warrior ultimately hopes this will help her achieve her dream of becoming a Division I soccer player. She is motivated by family, friends, teammates and coaches.

One coach in particular who has been a big influence on Lynch is King’s Fork High School boys’ soccer coach Michel Bilé, who coached her when she played for the Suffolk Icepacks. In doing so, he encouraged her to try out for the VA Olympic Development Program team.

Lynch took heed and made the team, which has challenged her to seek other soccer endeavors.

Before the season started, she made sure to set goals for herself that required her to push herself every day. She wanted to score more goals than she did last season and create more opportunities for her team to score. It is also important to her that she can to help her team go to states.

“I wanted to be the person that coach could depend on in any position,” she said.

All of her goals has been accomplished so far — except for one thing, and that’s a state championship. With the success Nansemond River has had this season, it is not farfetched to think they have as good of a chance as anyone on the 5A level. Lynch feels that experiencing this as a junior will put her in a position to accomplish future goals.

Before each game, Lynch likes to pray to get focused and clear her mind before the whistle blows. Also, a good meal is important so that she can be energized.

Being a student-athlete is important to her, because she feels it will help her overcome adversity and challenges through life. In her spare time, Lynch can be found catching a good movie and reading. She also likes to play other sports for fun.

Nansemond River will play in the semifinal of the PenSouth Conference tournament Monday at Gloucester High School.