ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Salem goalkeeper Hannah Wagner was named women's soccer USA South Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Sept. 23.

Wagner, who finished 2-0-1 last week for the Spirits, stopped 16 of the 17 shots she faced and was integral in two shutouts. The Wilmington, N.C., native logged 290 minutes in net and closed with a combined .941 save percentage against Brevard (Sept. 17), Emory & Henry (Sept. 19) and Ferrum (Sept. 22).

"Hannah stepped up in a big role and make some outstanding plays for us this week," said head coach Octavia Saunders. "She really worked hard to earn this recognition and I am very proud of her." 

In her start against Brevard, Wagner faced six shots and made three saves in the first Salem shutout of the season. Two days later, on Sept. 19, in a meeting with Emory & Henry, the senior netminder picked up her second shutout in as many matches with a six-save performance. That victory marked the first time Salem recorded consecutive shutouts since 2017, on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, against Greensboro (3-0) and William Peace (3-0), respectively.

Wagner's final start of the week came on Sunday, Sept. 22 where she and Ferrum counterpart, Taylor Dodson, closed with seven saves apiece as the two teams had their first tie of the season, 1-1. Wagner, who improved to 2-1-1 on the season faced eight Ferrum shots on goal over her 110 minutes on the field, while Dodson (4-0-1) was peppered with eight shots on goal by the Spirits.

Salem closes out September play on Saturday when the Spirits host Greensboro at Varsity Field on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.