Nansemond River High School girls’ soccer team defeated Warwick High School Wednesday evening to take the PenSouth Conference crown.

Nansemond River’s soccer programs have both had their fair share of success this season. Both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams took home the PenSouth tournament championship Wednesday. The Lady Warriors did it as the No. 1 seed.

Under the direction of Jonathan Baca, the Lady Warriors has still only lost one game this season. That game was to a school in the 6A division. Nansemond River is yet to lose to a team on the 5A level.

In the PenSouth championship, the Lady Warriors defeated Warwick 5-1. Nansemond River is now 16-1 heading into regional play. They swept the conference and had nine girls selected to the All-Conference teams. The Lady Warriors are also six goals away from 100 goals for the season.

Daijah Norris was the PenSouth Player of the Year. Outside of her, Sarah Rhiel, Armonie Frazier and Haley Russell were selected to the first team. Indiah Hunter, Saleena Lynch, Kamarie Jewette, Kylie Stout and Savannah Miller were named to the second team.

Norris can do it all for the Lady Warriors, and Baca knows more than anyone that she was deserving of the award.

“It’s my pleasure coaching Daijah,” Baca said. “She is an open-minded player. We can move her around anywhere and correct some of our mistakes. She’s an athlete, and it shows. She plays defense, can score and is a smart player.”

Baca was awarded the Coach of the Year. It was evident that he did a good job taking over the program in his first year. He has already helped Nansemond River to the best win-loss record in school history so far.

“I’m proud, and I feel accomplished,” he said. “I’m humbled, but this award was just a reflection of how well the girls have been playing.”

Nansemond River will now face Princess Anne High School in the first round of the 5A South regional tournament. The game will be played at Powhatan Field at Old Dominion University at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The Lady Warriors are confident in the way they have been playing and have enjoyed their season up to this point.

“We understand each other’s playing styles, and that’s what has made us so successful,” Lynch said. “We have so much chemistry that we can even tell when someone is having a bad day. It makes us unique, and we always want to get better.”

Nansemond River 5, Warwick 1

NR goals—Rhiel 2, Hunter 2, Heyman; Assists—Corey, Norris, Lynch