The Salem High soccer teams swept one South County school on Tuesday, and tonight they’ll take on the other.
The Spartan boys beat Cave Spring Tuesday at Cave Spring, 4-0, while the girls beat the Knights in Salem, 2-0. Tonight both teams will play Hidden Valley, with the girls back at home and the boys at Bruce Mahan Field in front of Hidden Valley High. It will be a good test for both clubs.
“I know they have a lot of seniors, and they’re always good,” said Salem boys’ coach Dean Jones. “Thursday is going to be a big test for us.”
Salem is 3-2-1 and the Spartans would love to go into spring break with a winning record. They got on the good side of .500 for the first time Tuesday with the win over a solid Cave Spring side.
The Spartans had a 1-0 lead at intermission as Will Snyder scored with an assist to Levi McDaniel. Sahil Patel scored to open the second half with an assist from Harry Kennedy. Then Alec Mowry scored off a Patel assist, and Drew Benne got the last goal with a second assist from Kennedy. Jacob Muncy had seven saves in goal to record the shutout.
“We’re getting better,” said Jones. “The boys are starting to feel good about what they’re doing.”
Meanwhile, back in Salem, the girls were posting a 2-0 shutout win as Katie Evans was forced to make just one save. Salem outshot the Knights, 23-2, for the game.
Salem got goals from Evyn Magenbauer and Ellie Laub, and Jessica Graham had an assist. It was Salem’s first game without Hannah Coulling, a team captain and James Madison recruit. Hannah had bone fragments removed from her foot and will miss about four weeks.
“She was playing through pain she’s had since January,” said coach Josh Jones. “We hope to have her back for the end of the season.”
The girls are now 4-1 as they prepare to host Hidden Valley tonight at Spartan Field at 7 pm.