The Salem High boys will continue a busy week when they play host to Carroll County in soccer Friday night.

The Spartans have had a rough go of late, playing some quality teams. Last Friday at home they dropped a 4-0 game at Blacksburg, yielding two goals in each half.

“It was actually one of our better games in awhile,” said coach Dean Jones. “Blacksburg has a very strong team and we’re just not at that level. If you make a mistake against Blacksburg, they’ll punish you.”

On Tuesday the Spartans hosted Cave Spring at Spartan Field and dropped a 2-1 decision. The Knights scored the first goal but Salem tied it on a direct kick by Drew Benne. Cave Spring then got the deciding score with about eight minutes left off a header from a direct kick.

“We put some pressure on them for the final eight minutes but we couldn’t hit the net,” said Jones. “The boys were disappointed. We beat them over there and they were thinking we could sweep them.”

Salem dropped to 3-7-2 with the loss and things weren’t going to be any easier Wednesday with a scheduled trip to Blacksburg, although rain was in the forecast. That date was a makeup date from a prior rainout.

“Their field sits down in a bowl and it’s like a swamp,” said Jones. “They’d be better off with artificial turf.”