Site: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Score: Salem 8, Sweet Briar 0
Records: Salem (2-0-0) / Sweet Briar (0-2-0)
Up Next: Salem at Averett (Thursday, Sept. 8)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.— A three-goal performance by first year Darilyn Nieto was instrumental in helping the Salem soccer team remain perfect on the season as the Spirits downed visiting Sweet Briar by an 8-0 score at Varsity Field on Tuesday, September 6th.
Nieto's hat trick marks the 18th in Salem history and is the first since Ellie Montes achieved the feat on September 1, 2021 against Warren Wilson. The first-year standout from nearby Greensboro, N.C., capped off the match with 12 shots (nine shots on goal) and moved her goal total on the season to five, after twice scoring on Regent last Saturday.
Layla Locklear provided the first goal of the afternoon for Salem in the fourth minute, driving a shot past Katelyn Meyer. Nieto scored the next two goals for Salem, which came in the ninth and 13th minute, before teammate Olivia Nivens capped off first half scoring with a breakaway unassisted goal to make for a 4-0 Salem advantage.
Senior Kylie Clark netted the first goal of her collegiate career in 66th minute on a penalty kick, resulting in a 5-0 lead. Ashley Linden followed with her third goal of the campaign, first of the game, seven minutes later when Nathaly Berrezueta found her for an open shot on goal.
Berrezueta notched a goal of her own in the 81st minute when April Salas made a move past the Vixen defense to find her open teammate, making for the 7-0 score. Nieto delivered her final goal of the match in the 83rd minute following a pass from Miriam Moctezuma, allowing Salem to earn its 12th all-time win in a home opener in program history.
The goaltending trio of Jordan Tomberlin (2-0-0), Alexcina Wartski and Mireya Sanchez had two saves each, helping Salem to preserve its shutout. Meanwhile, the defensive play of Isabel Scott, Caelan Gaul, Clark, Nivens and Serenity Powell limited Sweet Briar to seven shots (six shots on goal) in the match.
- SALEM NOTES
Marks the second time in as many seasons that head coach Robin Ramirez has led the Spirits to a 2-0 start. - Salem capped off the match with 36 shots, including 25 shots on goal, and tallied five assists.
- The Spirits are now 12-2 all-time in home openers, winning their last two matches to open the home schedule.
- Salem is now 2-0 in the all-time series with Sweet Briar.
- Jordan Tomberlin has two solo shutouts and five combined shutouts in her Salem career.
- Nieto joins the following players with three-goal performances in their Salem career.
Player Opponent Date Goals Tarryn Bundy Wesleyan (Ga.) Sept. 28, 2013 5 Sawyer Ferguson Judson Oct. 18, 2013 4 Alexi Saganich Warren Wilson Sept. 19, 2010 3 Sawyer Ferguson N.C. Wesleyan Sept. 1, 2012 3 Sawyer Ferguson Oglethorpe Sept. 28, 2014 3 Sawyer Ferguson Pine Manor Nov. 2, 2014 3 Nataly Mojica West Virginia Tech Sept. 19, 2014 3 Tarryn Johnson Washington Adventist Aug. 31, 2014 3 Maddie Crumpton Eastern Mennonite Sept. 26, 2015 3 Maddie Crumpton Wesleyan (Ga.) Oct. 18, 2015 3 Jordan Lanier Trinity Oct. 30, 2015 3 Kimberlee Templeton Mount Mary Nov. 6, 2015 3 Jordan Lanier Agnes Scott Sept. 8, 2017 3 Ellie Montes Blackburn Sept. 2, 2017 3 Jae Lehman Mary Baldwin Oct. 26, 2019 3 Taylor Norman Wesleyan (Ga.) Oct. 19, 2013 3 Ellie Montes Warren Wilson Sept. 1, 2021 3
