The Salem High lacrosse teams hope to make America great again as they open South Zone play this week. Both teams won American Conference titles on Monday to earn first round home games in the South Zone tournament.

The girls played at Hidden Valley Monday and took a 14-8 win on Bruce Mahan Field to avenge a previous one goal loss to the Titans. The win gives Salem the top seed in zone play.

“It felt good after losing to them, 7-6, the first time,” said Salem coach Maggie Pace. “We won 13 of the draw controls, which ended up making the difference.”

Salem jumped to a quick 4-0 lead Monday before the Titans rallied to tie the game at the half, 5-5. The Spartans then outscored Hidden Valley 9-3 in the second half to win going away.

Madi Caldwell and Libby Bowman led the scoring with four goals a piece while Lilly Blair had one goal and two assists despite being faceguarded by HV’s fastest player the whole game. Abbey Greer had two goals and two assists and Arie Newman, Alla Daniel and Kara Yates had one goal each. Maddie Bowman had seven saves and Charity Hall and Makenzie Redding led the defense along with Mae Kennedy, who had six ground balls.

The girls will play host to E.C. Glass tonight at 6 pm to open the South Zone tournament. The boys will host Jefferson Forest on Friday at 6 pm after winning the American Conference championship with an 18-1 drubbing of Cave Spring at Spartan Field Monday night.

Wyatt Whitlow had four goals and an assist to lead the Spartans while Will Poldiak went three and two. Zach Mason had two goals and two assists before coach Daniel Dyer cleared the bench.

“It’s always a good thing when you can win games and be able to get all of your guys in,” said Dyer. “I’m proud of the way we played on offense and moved the ball. Defensively we were stout for four quarters in both games. From here on out it will be a battle but that is what makes it exciting.”

Salem’s boys are 12-4 and the girls are 13-3 as they enter Zone play.