By Brian Hoffman
The Salem High girls saw their soccer season come to an end with a 4-0 loss to Tuscarora High in Leesburg, VA Tuesday. The game was a state quarterfinal match, and the Huskies advance to the state semifinals in Spotsylvania on Friday.
The two teams were scoreless until just before the half, when Tuscarora broke the ice. They made it 2-0 in the first two minutes of the second half off a corner kick and were able to keep the Spartans from scoring while adding two insurance goals the remainder of the game. Allison Kessel had 10 saves for Salem.
“Our girls played their hearts out to a
talented team,” said Salem coach Kayla Wood.
Salem was on the road Tuesday because the Spartans lost to Blacksburg for the fourth time in last week’s Region 4D championship game, this time by a 1-0 score. The first time Salem played the Bruins they lost 5-0 but since then they lost 2-1 in the second regular season game, 2-0 in the River Ridge District tournament final and 1-0 in the region final last week in Blacksburg.
“As I have said in the past, we have chipped away each time,” said Salem coach Kayla Wood. “This game was harshly interrupted by three different times having to stop and wait out the weather.
The Spartans held Blacksburg to a scoreless tie until 17:48 left in the game when the Bruins scored off a corner kick.
“I love this team and how they fight and how their play reflects their grit,” said Wood. “They’re an incredible team that has proved themselves over and over.”
Allison Kessel had 17 saves, some spectacular. Salem had two shots on goal and one corner kick in the final two minutes of the game but the Spartans weren’t able to punch one in. Salem finished the season with a 13-7-1 record and will graduate nine seniors on Friday.
“I love this team and all that they stand for and have done,” said Wood.
