PITTSBORO, N.C. – Five members of the Salem soccer team were recognized by the USA South Conference on Thursday, Oct. 31, when the league announced its top performers for the 2019 season. The Spirits acknowledged for their play throughout the season were Alyssa Denkovich (First Team All-Conference / First Team East Division), Ellie Montes (First Team East Division), Martha Santos (Second Team East Division), Hannah Wagner (Second Team East Division) and Kim Sephaphathi (All-Sportsmanship).
Denkovich, who has earned back-to-back First Team All-Conference honors for the Spirits, enters Saturday's quarterfinal meeting against Piedmont with seven points by virtue of two goals and three assists. She has attempted 23 shots on the season and scored one game-winning goal, which came in overtime at Methodist (Oct. 23) and helped clinch a first-round bye.
The first goal of the season by Denkovich came against USA South foe Agnes Scott (Sept. 8). The Greencastle, Pa., native went onto add assists against Greensboro (Sept. 28) and Meredith (Oct. 1) before closing out her final regular season appearance at Varsity Field, against Mary Baldwin (Oct. 26) with an assist in the 8-2 victory. In her eight matches against league opponents, Denkovich had 16 shots, five points, three assists and one goal.
"Alyssa has been an impact player for Salem since she stepped on campus," said head coach Octavia Saunders. "A four-year starter and a player that you can count on for a big performance. She deserves to be on the First Team All-Conference and I'm extremely proud of her accomplishments".
Montes, who was named First Team East Division for the first time in her career, capped off a solid junior season by leading the team in goals (six), assists (five), points (17), shots (55) and game-winning goals (four). The Asheville, N.C., native netted three of those aforementioned goals against USA South opposition, including two in a 2-1 victory over William Peace (Oct. 15). The other goal against a league foe came in a 3-0 triumph at Meredith on Oct. 1, marking the first of seven wins over the course of the month.
Montes was one of seven Spirits to finish with multiple saves against USA South opponents, scoring three goals in 25 shots. She was instrumental in helping Salem hold a 22-7 edge in scoring against league competition.
"A big offensive player for us and I know she's on every one of our scouting reports," said Saunders. "Ellie can create an opportunity from nowhere, she is so crafty and a special player to watch."
Santos, named Second Team East Division, was also a key cog in the Salem offense with 40 shots, 10 points, four assists, three goals and one game-winning strike. She was second to only Montes in assists and one of 10 Salem players with multiple goals in 2019.
Santos, a native of Mandeville, La., emerged with 20 shots, 10 points, two assists and two goals versus USA South Conference foes. Both goals in league play came at Meredith (Oct. 1), where the Spirits emerged with a 3-0 win, while the remaining strike came at Covenant (Sept. 7), in the third match of the season.
"Martha has been a big play maker for us, her dynamic ability on and off the ball is incredible," Saunders said. "She finds the plays and creates big chances for us. I'm extremely lucky to have her back at Salem this season and to have a player with a work ethic like she does."
Wagner, who closed the regular season slate with a mark of 7-3-1, earned a spot on the Second Team East Division unit. She made 44 saves, allowed 10 goals (0.93 goals against average) and was responsible for an .815 save percentage. Wagner collected 15 of those saves in 434:44 minutes against USA South foes, as she was 4-2-0. She made at least three saves on 10 occasions, including a single-match season-high seven in a 1-1 double overtime tie with Ferrum (Sept. 22).
Wagner, a native of Wilmington, N.C., anchored the Salem defensive efforts with five shutouts over the course of the season. The first came against Brevard (Sept. 17) and was quickly followed by a 2-0 blanking of Emory & Henry two days later. Wagner made one save in the 3-0 win over Meredith (Oct. 1) before coming through with one save each against Averett (Oct. 5) and Pfeiffer (Oct. 9). She enjoyed her final shutout of the regular season against Methodist (Oct. 23).
"Has really stepped up for us this season," Saunders said of Wagner. "We have not lost by more than one goal in conference and suffered only two losses. She keeps us in games and a big presence behind our backline. I'm thrilled she got the recognition she deserves."
Sephaphathi was named as a member of the All-Sportsmanship Team by the USA South after making 14 starts in 17 matches over the course of the season. She finished her senior season with 30 shots, seven points, two goals and three assists, including one game-winning goal. Against league foes Sephaphathi was responsible for 18 shots, four points, two assists and one goal in eight matches.
Sephaphathi began her senior season with an assist in the season-opener against Bob Jones (Aug. 31). She handed out her second assist of the slate in a 3-1 victory over N.C. Wesleyan (Oct. 12) before notching her first collegiate goal in a 2-1 win over crosstown rival Piedmont International (Oct. 17). Her final goal and assist of the regular season came on Senior Day against Mary Baldwin, where she tallied three points and made four shots.
"A positive impact player, Kim always makes the best out of situations and will do whatever she can to boost the team," Saunders said. "She's a big influence to our energy on the field and she deserves to be recognized for her constant sportsman like behavior."
For more information on Salem soccer check out www.salemspirits.com.