The Nansemond River High School field hockey team’s performance during the conference tournament semifinal on Thursday evening was not pretty in the first half, but the Lady Warriors produced better results in the final 30 minutes of play.

They defeated Denbigh High School 5-0 at Powhatan Field in Norfolk to make it two consecutive years they have qualified for regionals and advanced to the Ironclad Conference tournament championship game.

“It’s definitely a good feeling being back here,” NR coach Ali Mowry said.

She wished the road could have been less bumpy, however. In the first half, she said her team did not display good field awareness.

Nansemond River did not get its first goal until only 4:09 remained until halftime. Senior Desiree Patterson was the one who put it in.

Mowry said she did not think the Lady Warriors’ second half performance was excellent, but it was definitely better. One of the players she highlighted for elevating the level of play was junior Claire Janek.

“I told her at halftime to get more involved,” Mowry said, and Janek scored with 17:28 remaining off an assist from freshman Ashlyn Rogers to make it 2-0.

Nansemond River began to pile on the goals inside the last 10 minutes. Junior Ashley Hiltabrand scored with 9:50 to go, Rogers scored with 7:21 remaining and sophomore Ariana Samuel scored less than a minute after that, assisted by Patterson.

“The second half, I definitely think we stepped up, and a win is a win, so we’re on to the championship,” Janek said. Citing what she and her teammates started doing right, she added, “I think we passed, and we played as a team more.”

The Lady Warriors finished with 15 offensive penalty corners to the Lady Patriots’ one.

One thing that made matters slightly more difficult for No. 1-seeded Nansemond River was that it was a bit shorthanded. Among those not playing was junior back Cali Valdivieso, who has been out with a concussion since she suffered it in practice last week.

Mowry hopes to have her back for regional play sometime next week.

Hiltabrand, not unfamiliar with playing defense, took Valdivieso’s place in the back on Thursday.

“I feel like she did a good job stepping in,” Mowry said.

Last year, Nansemond River lost 7-0 to Lakeland High School in the conference tournament title game, but excitement is building among the Lady Warriors regarding their prospects this year.

“I feel like we have a really good chance to be conference champions,” Janek said.

Nansemond River (12-5) will once again face Lakeland (9-8) for the title. The game is set for this evening at 5 p.m. at Powhatan Field in Norfolk.