ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – The Salem soccer team won the battle of fourth-place teams in the USA South Conference East Division standings by emerging with a 3-1 victory on the road over N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Rocky Mount, N.C.
The Spirits, who improved to 7-5-1 overall and 3-2 in league play, scored the first goal of the game and never looked back. Salem's Madison Green found the back of net for her third goal of the season, following a pass from Kim Sephaphathi at the 6:53 mark of the first period.
Just over three minutes later, Rachel Black blasted home the second Salem goal of the game, at the 10:29 mark, providing the Spirits with a 2-0 lead.
N.C. Wesleyan (4-8, 2-3 USA South) cut the lead in half, just before the intermission, with an unassisted goal off the foot of Cydney Nichols at the 34:33 mark.
The Salem defense, combined with a late goal at the 85:50 mark by Courtney Chaplin, allowed the Spirits to lay claim to their fifth road win of the slate.
Jordan Tomberlin (2-2) picked up her second win in goal for the Spirits this season. She tallied one save on the afternoon while her counterpart, Alicia Jacobs (4-8) recorded six.
Salem attempted 12 shots over the course of the match, including nine shots on goal. Meanwhile, the Battling Bishops had four shots (two shots on goal). The Spirits made eight shots in the first half, while the N.C. Wesleyan finished with three.
Salem returns home on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to square off against USA South rival William Peace at 4 p.m. It is the first of two home matches for the Spirits this coming week, who also face Piedmont International at 4 p.m. For more information on Salem soccer check out www.salemspirits.com.