BREVARD, N.C. – Hannah Wagner stopped all three shots on goal and Ellie Montes came through with the game-winning score as Salem earned a 1-0 victory at Brevard on Tuesday evening in a clash of two USA South Conference programs.
It is the first shutout by the Spirits (3-3-0) since a 2-0 win over William Peace on Oct. 20, 2018. Meanwhile, Brevard has now been held scoreless on two occasions in 2019, including a 0-0 tie against Emory & Henry.
Wagner, who logged all 90 minutes in net for Salem, faced six shots (three shots on goal) over the duration of the contest. Salem held a decisive advantage in total shots (18-6) as well as corner kicks (7-1).
Offensively, Montes led the way with six shots, while Baylee Greenwood and Kim Sephaphathi added three each. Kylie Clark and Alyssa Dentkovich also recorded two shots each in the victory.
Montes scored the lone goal of the match at the 6:17 mark of the first period when the ball deflected off the Brevard defender and was sent to the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. The Tornado offense would manage only one shot in the opening half.
"We played a great first half, but we stopped playing our game on occasion in the second half and that made it a bit chaotic," said Salem head coach Octavia Saunders. "Overall we showed a lot of fight to keep the result and managed the clock well in the final 10 minutes. A lot of positives to take from tonight's game."
Salem attempted seven more shots in the second, but Rebeccah Rojas kept the Tornados within striking distance by converting five of her nine saves in the frame.
The Spirits return to the pitch on Thursday, Sept. 19 when they host Emory & Henry at Varsity Field at 4 p.m. For more information on Salem soccer check out www.salemspirits.com.