The Salem High boys let yet another potential soccer win slip away Monday when they tied a game at Christiansburg. The Blue Demons scored twice in the final 15 minutes of regulation before a scoreless overtime resulted in a 3-3 tie.
“It keeps happening,” said Salem coach Dean Jones. “We just can’t seem to close out games. We have to keep at it because no one is feeling sorry for us.”
Salem trailed 1-0 early but tied the game 1-1 at the half on a Rocky Palatos goal off an assist from Alec Mowry. The Spartans got a second goal from Palatos, off an assist from Sahil Patel, to take the lead, then made it 3-1 off a direct kick from Mowry that found the back of the net. However, the Demons rallied to tie and Salem now has 3-5-3 overall record.
Last Friday at Patrick Henry the Spartans played a solid game against a good Patriot team but lost 1-0.
“I thought it was our best game all year,” said Jones. “We played a consistent 80 minutes of soccer and made one mistake that cost us the game.”
Salem was at Pulaski Wednesday, but results were too late for publication. The Spartans are home against Hidden Valley on Friday, then host Blacksburg next Tuesday, May 8.