The Salem High girls opened their 2017 soccer season with a loss Tuesday as Western Albemarle visited for an early season showdown. Salem scored first but the Warriors got out of town with a 3-1 win.

“We dominated the first 20 minutes, but then they scored to tie the game and it completely turned the momentum,” said Salem coach Josh Jones. “They controlled the final 60 minutes.”

Salem got on the board first when Hannah Coulling headed in a free kick off the foot of Evyn Magenbauer. Western Albemarle tied the game midway through the half, and it was 1-1 with less than 10 minutes to go. However, the Warriors scored twice in the final eight minutes to get the win.

“We have a lot of the same girls back on defense,” said Jones. “We have a ways to go. We’ve given up six goals between our scrimmage and our first game.”

Salem will try to pick up some wins with three games on the road next week. The Spartans are at Patrick Henry on Tuesday, at Pulaski County on Thursday and at Christiansburg on Friday, March 31.