If the Salem High boys are going to repeat as state lacrosse champions this spring they’re going to have to do it on the road. The Spartans missed a chance to host a state quarterfinal game when they lost a heartbreaker to E.C. Glass Tuesday, 7-6 at Spartan Field in the region final.
This was a thriller played before a big crowd, and close all the way. The game was tied 2-2 at the half and Salem held a 4-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter. However, beginning with 9:49 remaining the Hilltoppers scored three goals within a span of a minute and 21 seconds to take a 6-4 lead.
Salem cut the margin to one when Holden Custer scored with 5:12 on the clock, and the Spartans had a couple opportunities to tie the game down the stretch. The missed chances magnified when Glass scored after a scramble in front of the crease with 1:30 on the clock to go back up by two, 7-5. Custer scored a goal with four seconds remaining but that didn’t leave enough time to get another shot off to possibly tie the game.
With the loss the Spartans will have to play Friday’s quarterfinal game at Broad Run in Ashburn while Glass gets to host Woodgrove in Lynchburg. The semifinals are Tuesday at sites to be determined and the championship game is Saturday, June 13, at Heritage High School in Leesburg.
With the loss Salem fell to 14-2 on the season. The Spartans opened Region 4D play with a 17-3 win over William Byrd at Spartan Field last Thursday. Visiting Byrd earned the trip to Salem by beating Blacksburg in a “play in” game.
Thursday was a big night for Salem junior Tucker Preas, who scored six goals and assisted on two others. Senior Parker Dallas also had a big game with four goals and six assists.
Wade Marble and Logan Sparks had two goals each for the Spartans and Oliver Farber, Alex Foster and defenseman Ronnie Frith had one each. Farber and Marble had two assists each and Richard Hof had five saves in the goal.
