Nansemond River High School field hockey coach Ali Mowry knew what she was getting her team into when she put First Colonial High School on the schedule for Friday.

The Lady Patriots reached the Group 6A state title game last year and won back-to-back Group AAA state titles the two years before that.

They played like it against the Lady Warriors on Friday at the USA National Field Hockey Training Center in Virginia Beach, winning 10-0 in a mercy-rule shortened contest.

But this result did not mean that Mowry failed to see things she liked from her team, and it did not mean a primary goal of hers of was not fulfilled.

“They need to see what the best teams are, what they could potentially face,” she said, referring to her players while thinking about regional playoffs and beyond. “I think that kind of game could only make them better, see what they have to work for.”

The experience would seem to have been appropriate since Nansemond River, currently 6-3 overall and 2-0 in the Ironclad Conference, looks to be a team that could make a return trip to regionals.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game going into it,” Mowry said of Friday’s tilt. “I think the girls played better than they thought they would.”

First Colonial (8-0) scored in the final moments of the first half to make it 6-0 at halftime. While Mowry took her players to task for this continuing trend of allowing last-minute goals in halves, she encouraged the girls, as well, and was pleased with the way they battled overall.

The battles took place largely on the Lady Warriors’ side of the fast turf, since they did not generate many offensive attacks, but these circumstances still yielded some NR highlights.

“I was very pleased with the play from our goalkeeper,” Mowry said.

Junior Alex Wilde had 13 saves, while receiving an onslaught of 21 shots on goal and 18 penalty corners.

“It was pretty intense that whole game,” Wilde said. “That was the most shots I’ve had, and I guess the hardest shots that I’ve had to try to save.”

Given the kind of pressure she faced, she said, “I think that game really showed how I need to be in those situations and the discipline I need to have.”

Mowry said, “We had a few key defensive saves out of Victoria (Czuprynski) and Cali (Valdivieso).”

The coach further highlighted Valdivieso, a junior back, as being a standout.

“I moved her to more of a sweeping position for this game,” she said.

Mowry also gave praise to junior Claire Janek for continuing to impose her influence in the midfield.

“All the girls, they never gave up, so it’s hard to pinpoint one or two.”

The Lady Warriors will not return to action until Friday when they play a make-up game at Deep Creek High School.

“We’ll look to have a few good practices and regroup and go into the second half of our season strong,” Mowry said.