The Lady Saints field hockey team won its home opener against Carlisle School Saturday afternoon.

The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy field hockey team took on Carlisle School and won 3-1. NSA returns a team with some experienced seniors on it. It is the second year under coach Shelby Bourn, and she is excited about the potential of the team this season.

“Our first game went really well,” Bourn said. “We had been trying to put it together through practices and scrimmages, and it all came together nicely in the first game. I am very happy with what I saw.”

Bourn feels more comfortable in year two with this team. She has built relationships with the players and has also spent time working with them over the summer. NSA return a strong four seniors in Lauren Meyers, Sam Williams, Kirtley Arnold and Abby Carlson.

“When those four are in there, we are a really good team,” Bourn said. “In this first game, we did some really good talking. Our seniors are strong, but we have some good young players as well. So it was good seeing them all bridge the gap out there with communication and effort.”

NSA made the state tournament last year but was eliminated in the first round. This year, they believe they can go further than that. Everyone has high expectations. Meyers, who scored a goal in the first game, is also hopeful in what NSA can do this season.

“We are returning a lot of strong players so we feel good about what we can do this season,” Bourn said. “Everyone is making a difference on the team.”

“I am very excited,” Meyers said. “We have girls coming out here who have never played before, and they are doing well. They really stepped it up in the first game. The returning players all just want to help the younger girls, which I think will play a huge role in our team success.”

NSA will face Hampton Roads Academy at home at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Lady Saints are certainly excited that the season is officially here.

“We are excited, and we are turning our sights to our next opponent,” Bourn said. “They are comparable to the team we opened up with, so we want to be focused and ready.”

NSA 3, Carlisle 1

NSA—Henry 2, Meyers; Assists—Groves, Meyers, Williams