The Lady Saints soccer team defeated Peninsula Catholic School 6-0.

The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy girls’ soccer team improved to 8-2 on the season after a 6-0 victory over Peninsula Catholic Monday afternoon. Alivia Giles led the way for NSA, putting together a hat trick. NSA likes where they are right now.

“We have consistently gotten stronger throughout the season,” senior Abby Herrod said. “We have won some games against some great teams. This Thursday will be another good one against HRA. If we stay composed and play like we have been, we should come out on top.”

The Lady Saints have been playing tougher against the upper echelon of the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools. Before their win Monday, they took a 2-1 loss to Norfolk Collegiate, Coach James Michael Dick called it one of the best he saw his team play this season.

“It was such a hard-fought match on both sides,” Dick said. “The girls played so well.”

With an 8-2 record, Dick believes his team has gotten closer over the year, and it is starting to show on the field. Though Dick is a believer in “if it is not broke, don’t fix it,” he doesn’t want his team to close their eyes completely. He wants to be open to different alternatives to make sure his team is always trying to get better. He believes this is the strongest team he has had in the last four years.

“There were problems that could have taken us off course, but they haven’t,” Dick said. “That is a credit to the girls from being able to have a problem and solve it.”

“We all get along really well off the field, and I think the chemistry has translated on the field,” Herrod said. “Being able to communicate effectively has been a big difference from last year until now.”

They have a tough stretch in their next three games, which will start with Hampton Roads Academy at home at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. After HRA, they will also play Norfolk Academy and Cape Henry Collegiate. NSA is expecting a very competitive game at home Thursday.

NSA 6, PC 0

NSA: Goals—Giles 3, Herrod, E Dumaran, Wolfe; Assists—Herrod 2, Plott, Birdsong, Bush, Wolfe; Saves – Mizelle 3, Roberts