The Salem High girls’ lacrosse team will be in Sterling, VA Friday to take on Dominion High in a Class 4 state quarterfinal game. The Spartans have to make the trip after falling to Rockbridge High in Lexington Tuesday, 22-2, in the Region 4D championship game.
The Spartans will take a 12-4 record to Sterling. They earned the chance to play in the state tournament with a thrilling 7-6 win over the host Bruins in Blacksburg last Thursday. That was a region semifinal game and it went down to the wire, with goalie Bailey Redford killing out the final seconds of the win.
“I called a time out with a minute and a half left on the clock and we had possession in the Blacksburg attacking end,” said Salem coach Mary Schwartz. “I said at one minute pass it back to Gabby(Crawley) on defense, then give it to Bailey and she will run out the last minute, and she did!”
Salem never trailed but always had the Bruins right on their tail. Salem led 2-0 after the first quarter and 4-3 at the half. Blacksburg tied the game at 6-6 after three quarters but the Spartans regained the lead and held on.
Anne Thomas led Salem with three goals while Ashlyn Davis and Madison Southern had two each. Redford caused three turnovers, scooped four ground balls and had 10 saves in the goal. Aniyah Fox had three caused turnovers and four ground balls.
“Defense had an amazing showing and the attack adjusted well,” said Schwartz. “What a great win for this team.We played as a team and won as a team. So proud of how hard they worked.”
