While most of the valley soccer teams were still idle due to wet fields Tuesday, the Salem boys were able to get their game in on the artificial turf at Patrick Henry’s Merrill Gainer Field. Unfortunately for the Spartans they went down to defeat, 4-1.

All the goals in the game were scored in the first half. PH led 3-0 before Jett Sable scored off an assist by Alec Mowry, then the Patriots scored one more for a 4-1 halftime edge. Salem played the Pats even after intermission but by that time it was too late.

“We were coming off break and the school wouldn’t let us practice Monday,” said Salem coach Dean Jones. “I figured if we could get by the first 20 minutes we’d be okay, but we didn’t do that. We played exceptionally well in the second half.”

The loss dropped the Spartans to 3-4-1 on the season, and they have a big game Friday against Conference 24 rival Pulaski County. That will be at Spartan Field.

Next week Salem is at Christiansburg on Tuesday and then home to Blacksburg on Friday, May 5.