Score: Salem 7, Hollins 0

Records: Salem (1-0-0) / Hollins (0-1-0)

Up Next: Salem at St. Andrews (Laurinburg, N.C. / 4 p.m.)

HOLLINS, Va. — Sophomore Darilyn Nieto notched her third career hat trick, netting five goals in the process, as Salem soccer opened the 2023 season with a 7-0 victory over Hollins.

Nieto's five-goal performance equaled Tarryn Bundy's five-goal performance against Wesleyan (Ga.), which came on September 28, 2013, establishing the program record for goals in a match. Nieto finished the match with 11 shots, seven shots on goal, along the way.

First year Giselle Ramos also amassed four points in the match, netting a goal while handing out two assists. Meanwhile, the Salem defensive efforts were led by Mireya Sanchez and Marissa Doutrich (1-0-0) in net, who both tallied one save.

Ramos netted the first goal of the year for the Spirits, driving home a pass from Layla Locklear at the 49 second mark of the match. Nieto became an unstoppable force for the Spirits, netting the next five unanswered goals, starting with a strike at the 14:47 mark following a pass from Ramos.

Nieto followed with four unassisted goals in the 23rd, 27th, 49th and 58th-minute, as Salem established a 6-0 contest.

The final goal of the contest came from Nathaly Berrezueta, again following a feed from Ramos, to make for the 7-0 final.

Salem capped off the match with 27 shots, 14 shots on goal, while Hollins was limited to six shots (two shots on goal).

SALEM NOTES
-Spirits improve 13-2 all-time in season openers, improving to 8-2 all-time in road season openers.
-Nieto's five-goal performance equaled Tarryn Bundy's five-goal performance against Wesleyan (Ga.), which came on September 28, 2013.
-Nieto tallied four unassisted goals in the 23rd, 27th, 49th and 58th-minute, as Salem established a 6-0 contest.