LYNCHBURG, Va. – Salem soccer capitalized on a pair of first half goals by Gina Franco and Ellie Montes, along with seven saves from the goalkeeping tandem of Alexcina Wartski and Jordan Tomberlin, to earn a 2-1 win at Randolph College on Wednesday, September 8th.
The Spirits, who improved to 3-1 on the season, picked up their third all-time win in the series with Randolph. The two teams last met on September 30, 2009, with Salem earning a 2-1 overtime victory.
Salem assumed the 1-0 lead when Franco converted a goal in the high right corner following a pass from teammate Anna Fretwell at the 19:33 mark. It marked the first goal by Franco since she scored one of two goals against Piedmont in the quarterfinal round of the USA South Conference Tournament on November 2, 2019.
Montes provided the Spirits with the game-winning goal just over 13 minutes later when she shook the Randolph defender for her fourth goal of the campaign. Montes gave Salem a 2-0 advantage when she skated a shot to the bottom right past Wildcat netminder Alexis Bossi. Meanwhile, Tomberlin closed out the first half with a pair of saves for the Spirits.
Randolph (2-1) received its third goal of the season from Sara Bane at the 63rd minute when she sent a goal into the left corner over the hands of Wartski. The Salem defense limited the Wildcat offense to just one goal in the frame despite eight shots (five shots on goal). Wartski turned all five shots for Salem in the second half.
Salem capped off the match with eight shots (seven shots on goal), while the Wildcats attempted 13 shots eight SOG).
The Spirits continue their four-match road trip on September 11th at Eastern Mennonite followed by matches at Sweet Briar (Sept. 12) and Ferrum (Sept. 15).