After suffering a 7-0 loss at Blacksburg last week the Salem High soccer team regrouped and battled back with three solid wins. The Spartans beat William Byrd, 6-1, Hidden Valley, 3-1, and Christiansburg, 5-0, to improve to 6-1 on the season.
Tuesday’s win was a big one as Salem and Christiansburg were both 5-1 coming in. Anthony Rugama and Elijah Clark scored two goals each and Justin Serano had one. Lin Daniel had seven saves in the shutout win.
“A really good win over a good soccer team,” said Salem coach David Atkins.
Last week at Spartan Field visiting Byrd scored first but the Spartans answered back to take a 2-1 lead at the half. Salem then dominated the second half for the win with Clark scoring twice and assisting on two others. Graham Cross had a goal and two assists, Rugama had a goal and an assist and Antonio Munoz and Jeff Lakin scored one each. Daniel had four saves in the cage.
On Friday at Bruce Mahan Field at Hidden Valley the Spartans fell behind early again, trailing 1-0 at the half. Salem bounced back in the second half with three unanswered goals, including two by Cross. Clark scored another goal while Kendry Uzaga and Gavin Horner had assists. Daniel had four saves again.
Salem will try to keep it going Friday when they host Patrick Henry in the second game of a doubleheader with the girls, then travel to Pulaski County next Tuesday for another River Ridge District game.
