Anne Thomas scored in overtime as the Salem High girls won a big lacrosse game over Patrick Henry at Merrill Gainer Stadium in Roanoke Monday. Salem has now won five in a row and 10 of their last 11 to improve to 10-2 on the season pending a Wednesday night game with Rockbridge County that was too late for press deadlines.
Salem took the early lead over the Patriots, 6-2 after the first quarter. The Spartans led 7-3 at the half but the home standing PH girls battled back, outscoring Salem 4-0 in in the second half to send the game into overtime. Salem then got the win when Thomas found the net in OT.
“It was a hard fought game and we never quit,” said Salem coach Mary Schwartz. “We came out strong and finished strong.”
Thomas, Ashyln Davis and Madison Southern had two goals each for the Spartans. Rylee McNeill and London Fralin had one score each and McNeill also had three assists.
Bailey Redford had 11 saves in goal for Salem while also picking up four ground balls.
“Gabby Crawley marked out their best player and our defense did an awesome job shutting them down and forcing bad shots and errant passes,” said Schwartz.
Last Thursday it wasn’t as dramatic as the Spartans were in Christiansburg to beat the host Blue Demons, 22-1. Davis had a team high five goals and two assists, Vivienne Eaton and Southern had three goals each and McNeill had two goals and six assists. Kiarra Thomas and Anne Thomas had two goals apiece and Crawley and Redford had one each. Chloe May played in the goal in this one and had one save.
The Spartans had a big game Wednesday as they were scheduled to play Rockbridge County on Spartan Field. Rockbridge was 10-1 prior to that game and the Wildcats have traditionally been a thorn in the side for the Spartans.
Salem will wrap up the regular season tonight with a home game against Jefferson Forest, with draw time scheduled for 5:30 pm.
