Nansemond-Suffolk’s boys lacrosse squad reached the state’s final four last spring under new head coach Tim Hostutler.

Most of the same Saints return, now with a season under Hostutler’s leadership, looking to improve on that high standard.

The Saints will field at least five, possibly more as the season goes along, players who are going on to play collegiate lacrosse next school year. Even with a good amount of experience and definite talent, the Saints face a tall task getting back to and moving beyond where they got last spring.

The biggest reason for the challenge is something the Saints had no control over.

The Saints played in Virginia Independent Schools, Division II, out of three divisions for the state’s private schools, last season.

Boys lacrosse was consolidated into two divisions starting this season and NSA moved into Div. I, the larger-school division.

“So we have a pretty challenging schedule this year,” Hostutler said.

The Saints struggled early on last season, starting 2-3. From that point, the Saints went 8-2 with both losses being by one-goal margins, including a 10-9 loss to Christchurch in the state semifinal. The Saints finished second to Norfolk Academy in the Tidewater Conference and beat Virginia Episcopal 9-2 in the state quarters.

“Last year, basically with a whole new system for all the guys, it took awhile. Now, it’s good to see the team gel and we’re closer to where we’re supposed to be,” Hostutler said.

Hostutler, a longtime head coach in Northern Virginia prior to joining the Saints, also changed up the Saints’ usual preseason schedule heading into his second year.

“During spring break last year we basically had to shut down,” Hostutler said. Some players went on a foreign exchange trip. Some players had vacations planned.

“At the end of last year, I told everyone, ‘Don’t make any plans (for spring break),’” he said.

The Saints were on the practice field much of last week, their spring break, including two-a-days Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“We’re weeks ahead of where we were last year at this time and I’m very happy,” Hostutler said.

Senior goalkeeper C.J. White captains NSA’s defense and in many ways, the whole field. This is White’s fourth year on the varsity squad and he’s been the main starter since his sophomore season. White’s committed to play at Hampden-Sydney.

The Saints lost three key defenders to graduation but senior Forest Hannah and junior Thomas Westfall have plenty of playing time heading into this season.

Offensively, the Saints must replace only one graduated starter. Attacker Will Crenshaw is playing now at Jacksonville University, so he’s a certain loss, but Hostutler’s confident his team will be better in attack. The Saints averaged 11.3 goals a game last season.

Tucker Hotte was an all-state midfielder as a junior and he’ll be moved to an attack position, says Hostutler.

“You want your best stickmen in attack to help control the offense,” Hostutler said.

Hotte’s committed to Savannah College of Art and Design. Also in the midfield and attack, seniors Sam Rapoport and Zack Crytzer are going to Hampden-Sydney and seniors Bobby Wentz and Sam Edwards are going to Virginia Wesleyan.

The Saints get five straight home matches to open the season, starting Tuesday at 5 p.m. against Grassfield.