As they did last year, Suffolk Christian Academy’s girls’ soccer team met Summit Christian Academy in this year’s conference tournament championship game. Unfortunately, the end result was like last year’s, as well.

After a scoreless first half on Thursday at Christopher Newport University, the Lady Knights experienced some defensive breakdowns, leading to a 3-0 defeat.

Suffolk Christian head coach Jeremy Effler said his girls held it together for a while, but their youth caught up with them.

“They just made some — I think — mistakes that are based on just being a young team,” he said. “The other team played very well, and they beat us fair and square.”

The scoreless tie was broken during the 47th minute off a breakaway goal. Then the Lady Eagles struck again from in front of the Lady Knights’ goal during the 48th minute, before scoring for the last time soon after.

Suffolk had met Summit only once this season, and it had resulted in a 1-1 tie. Senior left defender Jenny Rombs said she and her teammates scouted the Lady Eagles during their tournament semifinal game before playing them in the final.

“We knew we were up against a challenge,” she said. She admitted she did not expect the 3-0 result, “But it is what it is.”

Coach Effler said, “We made a few mistakes, letting balls get past us, but all in all, I don’t walk away in shame. I’m proud of my girls.”

Rombs echoed this sentiment when she said, “I was proud of the team. We were regular-season champs.”

Despite the loss, Effler cited several strong performers on his team from the game and the season.

“Our goalie saved us so many times,” he said of sophomore Zoie Howell. Though she gave up three goals on Thursday, he added that it meant “she’s only had eight goals scored on her in conference this year.”

He highlighted eighth-grade right defender Eva Waddell.

“In the tournament, she has stood out all the way as far as just helping on defense,” Effler said. “She gave us some great saves.”

Finally, he noted the play of Rombs, his only senior on the field.

“She played an excellent game, too,” he said. “She’s had a great season and been a great captain, and she’ll be sorely missed on this team. She has brought some great, great leadership, even in the losses, just settling the girls down.”

The Lady Knights finished the season with an overall record of 10-4-2 and a 5-1-1 regular-season conference record.