The defending Class 4 state champion Salem High boys’ lacrosse team avenged their only defeat of the season Monday night with a win over Patrick Henry. Salem took a 10-9 win in overtime at Spartan Field, getting revenge for an 11-9 loss in Roanoke on April 8.
“We didn’t play a perfect game, but sometimes you just have to win gritty tough ones,” said Salem coach George Revercomb. “I’m really proud of the guys for finding a way to win.”
Patrick Henry jumped to an early lead and was on top for most of the first half, leading 6-5 at intermission. The third quarter was a defensive battle with each team scoring once to make it 7-6 in favor of PH heading into the fourth period.
“PH has a really smart group of offensive players and some fantastic fast and athletic middies that gave us some issues,” said Revercomb. “Richard Hof, our goalie, got hot in the second half and did an amazing job.”
Salem won the fourth quarter, 3-2, to send the game into sudden death overtime. Wade Marble hit the game winner to send a large crowd of Salem fans home with smiles on their faces.
“We’re 3-0 in OT this season, so they’re giving the coaches some gray hairs,” said Revercomb. “But we’re earning some tough victories that we can hopefully build off of and learn from.”
Marble, Tucker Preas and Parker Dallas had three goals each to lead the Spartans and Oliver Farber had one goal. Preas, Dallas, Josiah King, Ronnie Frith, Logan Sparks and Jake Thompson all had assists. Hof had 14 saves in the goal as the Salem defense held a high scoring Patriot team to just three goals after intermission.
The Spartans are now 12-1 and have won their last 10 games in a row. Salem will wrap up the regular season tonight with a 7:30 pm game at Jefferson Forest.
