Walsingham Academy set out Tuesday to avenge a 1-0 loss to Peninsula Catholic from last season.
The result satisfied that goal, as Walsingham’s offense shined during a 9-5 rout of Peninsula Catholic at home.
Leading the charge for Walsingham was Christine McBeath, who scored a game-high five goals while adding an assist. Brianna Behm also scored a pair of goals and chipped in an assist.
“She’s a great technical player on the ball and everything kind of runs off of her,” Walsingham Coach Kevin Darcy said about McBeath, a St. John’s commit.
It was only fitting McBeath opened the scoring Tuesday given her overall dominance throughout the game.
After Walsingham fired off two shots in the first two minutes of play, McBeath found the back of the net after collecting the ball off a Peninsula Catholic punt. McBeath then worked her way through the defense and fired the ball into the lower-left corner for the opening goal.
Walsingham logged its second goal three minutes later when Brianna Behm played a through ball to Ginnie Lynch, who beat the Peninsula Catholic goalkeeper to the far post.
In the 10th minute, Delaney Riggs connected with McBeath, who used her left foot to beat the goalie and put the Trojans up 3-0.
Peninsula Catholic responded a minute later as captain Maria Mummert found room in the Walsingham defense and fired the ball across the face of the net into the lower-left corner.
Not to be outdone, McBeath collected the ball and carved her way through Peninsula Catholic’s defense before burying the ball into the lower-right corner of the net in the 18th minute.
The scoring pace in the first half dipped after the initial flurry of goals. Walsingham found its fifth goal of the first half in the 28th minute when McBeath found Behm, who beat the keeper low. In the 33rd minute, McBeath fired a cracker of a shot from outside the box that found the top of the net.
By halftime, Walsingham held a commanding 6-1 lead over Peninsula Catholic.
The second half was visibly more relaxed for Walsingham as Darcy switched players into different positions and let the game open up a bit. As a result, Walsingham generated plenty of scoring opportunities while also allowing more scoring chances to Peninsula Catholic.
Walsingham opened the second half scoring before allowing back-to-back goals by Peninsula Catholic. The Trojans then responded with back-to-back goals of their own to push their lead to 9-3.
Peninsula Catholic logged two late goals to close the game, but the game was well out of reach in favor of the Trojans.
Walsingham (4-0) will try to remain undefeated on the season during a home game at Wanner Stadium against Norfolk Christian on Thursday.
Walsingham 9, Peninsula Catholic 5
Goals: Walsingham (McBeath 5, Lynch, Behm 2, Duncan), Peninsula Catholic (Mummert, Jackson 3, Caisachana)
Assists: Walsingham (Behm, Riggs, McBeath, Sullivan), Peninsula Catholic (Jackson)
HRA Blanks Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Hampton Roads Academy scored a trio of second-half goals to defeat Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 3-0 on the road Tuesday afternoon.
After a scoreless first half by both teams, Leigha Arcand found the back of the net off an assist from Lauren Shohan to put HRA up 1-0.
Later in the half, Melina Gharbo added to HRA’s lead by netting a goal of her own. Finally, Lindsay Kovalcik found the back of the net to log the Navigators’ final goal of the game.
HRA (4-1) will host Bishop Sullivan on Thursday.
Hampton Roads Academy 3, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 0
Goals: HRA (Leigha Arcand, Melina Gharbo, Lindsay Kovalcik)
Assists: HRA (Lauren Shohan 2, Melina Gharbo)
