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First Flight senior midfielder Jake May looks past his Cougars counterpart, senior David Contreas. Daryl Law photo

Nate Tsonev shoots and scores the first goal in the opening quarter against Croatan last Saturday. Despite controlling the game in the first half, the Nighthawks lost to Croatan 11 goals to 6. Daryl Law photo

First Flight sophomore defender Jake Devanney executes a poke check resulting in a turnover during the first half of the match against conference foe Croatan last Saturday. Daryl Law photo

Coach John Van Lunen stresses the need for discipline on the field with one of his top players, junior Danny Gardill. Daryl Law photo

With warm spring-like temperatures last Saturday, there were plenty of fans in the stands, including these students who were also looking for a tan. Daryl Law photo

The First Flight men’s lacrosse team held off a fourth quarter charge by the visiting J.H. Rose Ramparts to win their first conference match of the season 12 goals to 9 at home in Kill Devil Hills Wednesday night under the lights.

In the victory huddle after the game, coach John Van Lunen stressed the importance of discipline on the field and said they’ll need plenty of it to have a successful season. When the team broke, a motherly voice could be heard in the mix congratulating the players.

It was Victoria Botson, whose son Logan, No. 21, is a senior attackman and mid-fielder. It’s the first time in Van Lunen’s 26-year coaching career he’s had a spirit coach on the bench during games, but there’s a heart-warming reason why.

Against the visiting Croatan Cougars last Saturday afternoon, the Nighthawks weren’t as successful and failed to protect a 5 to 3 halftime lead. In the end, the ’Hawks fell to Croatan 11 goals to 6.

Coach Van Lunen said the guys veered away from the game plan, which was working in the first half when both squads were executing well and playing at a high level.

“In the second half, we abandoned what we did right in the first half, the things that gave us some success,” he said. “That’s a good team and there’s a good chance we’ll see them again in the post season.”

It was a rude reminder of how the season ended with a fourth-round playoff loss to Croatan in last year’s run in the states. After that match, instead of a victory huddle, there was doubt and disappointment. That’s when Victoria Botson appeared.

She was in the middle of it all giving out condolences to the guys just one month after losing her precious daughter, Gwendalyn, to a tough battle with cancer. Gwen played for the Nighthawks women’s squad, also wearing No. 21, and she graduated in 2023.

She was attending her first year at Belmont Abbey near Charlotte and was part of the team when she died during lacrosse season last spring, Van Lunen said. The lacrosse crowd is a tight-knit bunch and losing Gwen was felt by all. So last June, in true Outer Banks surf style, there was a giant paddle out off a Southern Shores beach to honor Gwen.

As summer wore on, Van Lunen thought about the meaningful gesture Victoria had made after the playoff game and decided to do something special, something he’d never tried in the past.

This season, Victoria was brought on board as the spirit coach. After Wednesday’s win, there she was pumping up the players and helping clear the bench of equipment and such.

She was clad in her warm winter clothes from head to toe, including a knit hat with pompom because that field gets cold, real cold at times.

So over at the field house, while coach Van Lunen and his assistants hung around the locker room while the players changed, said their goodbyes and fist bumped the coaches, Victoria was out front speaking with her son Logan and others.

While she walked towards the parking area, you could hear her mothering another player too.

“Any time you need a ride, I’ll be there for you,” she said.

The Nighthawks were scheduled to play Nansemond Suffolk (Va.) Academy away on Friday, but the results were not available at press time.

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