Santos Goal in Final Two Minutes Gives Salem 5-4 Win

Santos Goal in Final Two Minutes Gives Salem 5-4 Win

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Junior forward Ellie Montes used her fancy footwork, drawing attention from the Covenant defense, before finding an open Martha Santos, who punched the game-winning goal past goalkeeper Lucy Sandhoff with 88:04 on the clock as the Salem soccer team earned a 5-4 victory over the host Scots on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Facing a 4-3 deficit, following a pair of second half goals by the Scots' Kyra Duble, Salem pulled even when Montes hit an open Madison Green for her second goal of the afternoon with just under five minutes remaining. Just under three minutes later, Montes delivered the key pass to Santos for the game-winner.

The assist was one of three for Montes on the afternoon, who was also responsible for a first half goal, as she tallied five points in the victory. Montes attempted five shots (three shots on goal), logging 86 minutes in the contest.

Joining Montes with multiple shots on goal was Green, who recorded two goals in a pair of shots on goal. Santos, who came through with the decisive strike, also attempted two shots in the match.

Salem (2-1) was led in goal by Jordan Tomberlin, who made four saves after facing eight shots on goal by the Scots. Covenant (0-2-1) attempted 16 total shots in the match, led by Addy Cronan (four shots), Kailey Burrell (four), Duble (three) and Megan Rasku (two).

"What an exciting game," said victorious Salem head coach Octavia Saunders. "I'm so proud of the way that we fought, didn't give up and finished those final minutes of the match. We're all on a high and hope to carry the momentum forward from this win."

The Spirits offense got off to a hot start, scoring at the 9:23 mark, when Green converted a pass by Montes for the quick 1-0 lead. Montes extended the Salem lead to 2-0 at 23:05 after an assist from teammate Rachel Black, netting her second goal of the season.

Covenant put its first point on the board with exactly four minutes left in the opening half when a series of passes by Lydia Barton and Lizzy Hightower bounced to Anna Robertson, who sliced the Salem lead to 2-1 with her first goal of the season.

Hannah Rodehaver knotted the match at two-all after Grace Herring found her teammate at the 60:19 mark. The Spirits quickly answered with an unassisted goal by Amy Bounds, regaining the lead 3-2 at 67:57.

Duble used her first goal of the season to tie the match at 3-3 at the 69:50 mark before giving Covenant its first lead of the day, 4-3, with a strike at the 78:24 mark.

Salem makes a quick turnaround on Sunday afternoon, squaring off against Agnes Scott at 2 p.m. For more information on Salem soccer check out www.salemspirits.com.