The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy boys’ lacrosse team defeated Christchurch School in a double-overtime effort Tuesday evening.

With the win, the Saints officially advanced to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II state semifinal game. They hosted Christchurch and earned the 9-8 win.

“I was happy with our effort yesterday, especially in the second half and both overtimes,” coach T.W Johnson said. “You could feel the intensity level rising from our players on the field as well as our bench.”

Eli Dowd led the team with four goals and also earned his 100th career goal.

In a playoff atmosphere, games are expected to be action-packed and sometimes come down to the wire. However, NSA feels they are prepared for games like that. No matter how it looks, the goal is to survive and advance.

NSA will face North Cross School Friday with a chance of getting to the state championship game on Saturday. The Saints are focusing only on Friday and will get to Saturday when it comes.

“Our attention is solely on the semifinals,” Johnson said. “North Cross is an excellent team, and we will have to play very well Friday. In order to be successful Friday, we need to play hard and smart while taking care of the ball.”

Winning the possession battle and winning face-offs will be key to the Saints’ run going forward. Johnson also believes when NSA gets the ball on the offensive end, they will need to handle it at a championship level if they want to continue. North Cross defeated NSA 11-5 during the regular season.

NSA will face North Cross at Randolph-Macon College at noon Friday.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 9, Christchurch 8 2OT

NSA Goals: Dowd, E. 4, Birdsong 2, Wren, Dowd, S., Harrell

Christchurch Goals: Robinson 3, Eze 2, Thompson 2, Wallace