Eli Dowd was voted Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week after a seven-goal performance in the Saints’ win over Steward School.

Dowd has been an amazing lacrosse player in the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy program. He returned this season as the team’s top scorer and an All-Conference performer from last season. Against Steward School last week, Dowd hit seven goals in an NSA 14-9 win. He described his performance as good but knows that’s something he has to do often as the leading scorer on the team.

With Dowd being a senior, leadership is important. He is a co-captain of the team and knows how important it is to be a leader, for which he gives credit to his coach, T.W Johnson. Johnson has been proud of what Dowd has done.

“I think it’s very important to have senior leadership,” Dowd said. “Coach Johnson has given the other seniors and me many opportunities to be leaders on the team.”

“Eli has been excellent for us this spring on and off the field,” Johnson said. “His play speaks for itself. But I am proud of the way he has led the team as a co-captain. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him because he has been able to elevate his game each season. Not all athletes can do that, but Eli has put in the time in the offseason to improve himself as a player,” Johnson said.

The senior came into this season with one goal on his mind, and that was to make the Division II state semifinals. He also wanted to assist his buddy Michael Cole Browne as much as possible while also being hopeful his play leads him to a first team All-State selection.

After starting a little rocky, NSA is 4-3 on the season and has started to build some momentum. They are ranked with the top five of the state lacrosse poll.

“We have recently started to gain some traction thanks to our dazzling team chemistry,” Dowd said. “Also, the ever-improving play of Austin Hardee between the goal has helped us as well.”

The beauty of the game is what motivates the senior when he steps on the floor. He is inspired by family, in particular his father, because of his hard-working attitude. Browne and Hardee motivate Dowd as well with the passion they exude in all aspects of life.

His favorite athlete is NBA superstar James Harden. Dowd likes the way he reads and reacts to defenses on the court and also cited how effortless he makes it look, something Dowd tries to add to his game. Dowd’s shiftiness gives him an upper hand in games. Tom Brady is another favorite of Dowd because of what he has accomplished.

In his spare time, Dowd is often listening to music. He doesn’t have plans to play lacrosse in college, as he is set to attend the University of Miami. Outside of winning a state championship, Dowd said graduating will be the ultimate success for him this year.