Boundless energy, fueled by a passion for soccer, has helped make Abby Herrod the kind of player she is today.

The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy sophomore attacking midfielder was a key force throughout the Lady Saints’ recent 2-0-1 week, and her efforts helped her become the Duke Automotive-Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week.

The Lady Saints started the week of March 20 with a 2-0 victory over visiting The Steward School on March 22. Herrod had one assist and five shots on goal.

“At first, the first day, I felt a little disappointed with myself, because I didn’t finish the shots that I put on frame,” Herrod said. “But throughout the week, the team, we just progressed, and I was feeling more confident.”

The confidence showed on March 23, when she scored all of NSA’s goals in its 3-1 victory over the visiting Beach Breakers.

“Scoring the hat trick — it felt really nice,” Herrod said. “It was a good confidence-builder for the season.”

The Lady Saints finished play for the week on March 24, hosting Northampton High School and playing to a 2-2 tie.

“That game was tough, because we were tied 1-1 at first, so we were just trying to push to get another goal in, and we were struggling a little bit,” Herrod said. “But then, once they scored the second one and we were down, I just knew that we had to fight and do something to score another goal, because I did not want to lose that game.”

In the final moments of the second half, Herrod had the ball and an opportunity.

“The (Northampton) goalkeeper was coming out, so I just ran in and slid to get a touch onto it to hit it past the keeper,” she said.

“She pulled a tie out of the jaws of a loss,” NSA coach J. Michael Dick said.

After the trio of games, the Lady Saints improved to 4-1-1 on the season.

Dick noted that though the team has lost some veteran leadership since last year, it seems to be doing a little bit better so far in its non-conference games. He pointed to Herrod as a huge reason for the improvement.

She transferred to Nansemond-Suffolk Academy from Churchland High School, where she had starred as an attacking midfielder on the varsity soccer team last year.

Herrod was so good that despite being only a freshman, she was named the Conference 17 Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year.

Dick said she has an endless well of energy.

“She’s a spark plug,” he said. “There’s no question about that — high energy, high level of focus when the game gets started. She stays on task, whether it’s practice or in a game.”

He said she is has a nose for the goal and the ability to take over a game.

Herrod said she has played soccer since she was 4, and her love for it grew early.

“It’s the one thing that’s been steady, so just when I go out there, I know that’s what I’m there to do is to play soccer and to try and help my teammates win,” she said. “I just think that energy, trying to win and help those around me become better players, which will help me become a better player, just helps to drive me to play my best.”