WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – A pair of first half goals by Celia de Diego and Maiju Hyvarinen helped provide Averett with a lead it would not relinquish as the Cougars picked up the fifth all-time win in the head-to-head series against Salem by a 3-1 margin on Saturday, October 2, at Varsity Field.

A goal in the 17th-minute by de Diego, who punched home a pass from teammate Clarice Peters, provided the Cougars with a 1-0 advantage. Just over 12 minutes later, at 29:09 Maiju Hyvarinen, drove home an unassisted shot to move the lead to 2-0.

Averett (4-3-1, 2-1-0 USA South) forged in front 3-0 in the 50th-minute following a strike from Quntasia Miller. Miller rebounded a kick by Hyvarinen to mark the final Averett goal of the contest in the early stages of the 50th-minute.

Ashley Linden was responsible for the lone Salem goal of the match with 81:25 on the clock, driving a penalty kick past Alyson Kinkopf (1-0-0). Kinkopf finished the match with eight saves in 67 minutes, after replacing the injured Morgann Dills.

Linden was one of six players with at least two shots on the afternoon, attempting two shots (one SOG). Baylee Greenwood had seven shots (four SOG), while Gina Franco finished with four and Mikalynne Shell attempted three. The trio of Linden, Layla Locklear and Alyson Gammons had two shots each in the contest.

Jordan Tomberlin slipped to 2-3-0 in goal despite converting four saves. She gave way to Alexcina Wartski in the final 11 minutes, who made three saves in her first action since playing a half against Carolina University on September 22nd.

Salem (5-7-0, 1-2-0 USA South) found its offensive rhythm in the second half, attempting 17 of its 23 shots in the frame. Meanwhile, Averett closed with 10 shots and 12 fouls in the match, including seven in the second half.

Salem returns to action on Wednesday, October 6th, when the Spirits make the short trip to Meisenheimer, N.C., to face Pfeiffer at 6 p.m.