The Salem High lacrosse teams swept visiting Monticello Saturday on a beautiful day at Spartan Field. The girls opened with an 11- 4 win and the boys followed with an 8-5 come-from-behind triumph.
The girls’ win was the 100th Salem victory for head coach Maggie Pace. She was doused with the water bucket after the game by her players.
“It was a good win,” said Pace. “We went down by three in the first bit of the game, but we chipped our way back and only allowed them one goal in the second half.”
Madi Caldwell scored four goals for the Spartans and Lilly Blair and Kara Yates had two scores each. Maddie Bowman played a strong game in the goal.
boys game as the Spartans swept the visiting Mustangs. PHOTOS BY BRIAN HOFFMAN
In the second game Salem’s boys trailed Monticello at the half, 2-0, but rallied to score eight second half goals for the win.
“It was a great team win,” said coach Daniel Dyer. “We came along in the second half after starting down 0-2. We had a couple key players step up at important times.”
Trent Cheyney won 14 out of 16 faceoffs, which helped keep the ball in Salem’s offensive end. Peyton Woodward made big saves at important times as Cheyney and Evan McMillan scored three goals each. Salem pulled out old uniforms to wear for the Saturday afternoon game.
“We decided to go with throwback uniforms just as a change up for the players,” said Dyer. “Uniforms don’t make a team good or bad, but it provided a little excitement for our guys.”
On Monday the Spartans kept the momentum going as Salem swept a doubleheader at Rockbridge, with the girls winning 13-3 and the boys following with a 9-5 win.
Blair scored five goals for the girls and dished out two assists. Yates had two goals and three assists and Libby Bowman added two goals and an assist to lift the Spartans, who are now 9-0 overall.
“The officiating was shaky, but the girls were transitioning well and making some good looks on the offense,” said Pace.
For the boys, Zach Mason had three goals and an assist to lead Salem while Cayden Butt, Robbie Royston and Cheyney had two goals each. The boys are now 6-3.
“We came out slow to start the game, but we were able to pull it together and get the win,” said Dyer. “ I’m starting to see some leaders emerge as we continue through the season.”
Salem’s teams were scheduled to play at Franklin County on Wednesday, and the Spartans are back home for another Saturday doubleheader. This time Jefferson Forest will provide the competition, with the boys at 5:30 pm and the girls at 7:30 pm.