Soccer Game Preview: Catholic vs. Hampton Roads Academy

The Catholic Crusaders are taking a road trip to take on the Hampton Roads Academy Navigators at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Catholic's offense has struggled lately (the team hasn't scored more than a single goal for three straight games), a trend the team is no doubt ready to end.

Catholic is looking to tack another W on to their season record, something they couldn't quite do against Virginia Academy on Wednesday. The Crusaders and the Patriots finished up their game with a 0-0 draw.

Catholic was without their leading scorer, Stella Wood, in Wednesday's contest. With Wood sitting this one out, Olivia Gusman got some extra time on the pitch (80 vs. her season average of 40).

Meanwhile, Hampton Roads Academy fell victim to Norfolk Academy and their airtight defense on Tuesday. They lost 8-0 to the Bulldogs. While losing is never fun, Hampton Roads Academy can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Virginia soccer rankings (they are ranked 111th, while Norfolk Academy are ranked fifth).

Hampton Roads Academy's defeat was their first in the region, dropping their region record down to 3-1-1 and their overall record down to 3-3-1. Catholic's draw gives them a new season record of 6-3-1.

Catholic suffered a grim 4-0 defeat to Hampton Roads Academy in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Crusaders avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.