Lindsay Cutchins made a splash onto Lakeland varsity field hockey Monday in both the literal and figurative sense, knocking in a goal and assist in her debut in a rain-soaked 2-0 victory over visiting Nansemond River in both schools season opener. While the rain was just starting when Cutchins knocked in her first goal on an assist from Kelly Askew nearly eight minutes into the contest, in had become a steady downpour by the time she whacked an assist to Askew 13 minutes into the second half.

&uot;The rain made our sticks slippery and we kept falling down,&uot; said Cutchins, whose sister Kelsey fought off every Lady Warrior attack in goal.

While the Lakeland defense held River without a shot in the first half, their offense racked up nine, including one that Cutchins poked into the left side of the River goal. Katelyn Smither smacked a pass across the center to Askew, who deflected it up to Cutchins for the score.

The second half was more even, with Kelsey having to fight off four shots in the first 15 minutes. But Ashley McCord was able to nudge the ball upfield, and Smither got a penalty shot about midway between the half point of the field and the goal.

She hit it through a mass of Lady Warriors, and goalkeeper Amber Shaffer lunged for the ball, knocking it out toward the left corner. Cutchins was there, and sent it back into the middle. The ball found its way through a mass of sticks and players, and rolled out the other side to Askew, who sent it in.

The score of the King’s Fork-Hickory game was not reported. All three Suffolk schools return to action Wednesday with King’s Fork hosting Western Branch, River going to Deep Creek and Lakeland visiting Oscar Smith.

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com