The Salem girls’ soccer team built up a 3-1 lead at the half and defeated Trinity Lutheran 5-4 on the Cougars’ field Thursday.
It was Trinity’s senior night with seniors Sidney Hoene, Emilee Lang, Maddie Bell and Lauren Fleetwood, and their parents, introduced at halftime.
Cougars coach Jeff Nolting said the seniors have been a big part of the program for the past four years.
He coached Fleetwood for two years, and the other three for four years.
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“They are the program,” he said. “They started the girls’ program. Without them starting their freshman year we wouldn’t have a team. They’ve worked so hard over the years and they’ve improved so much. Maddie Bell came on and never really played soccer before and she’s out here scoring goals and doing a lot of things.
“Sidney was out here playing with her sister as much as anything. She’s our leading scorer this year. Emilee is just trying to bounce back after her injury last year. They mean so much to the team. Three of the four (Bell, Hoene, Lang) are captains and we rely on their leadership and guidance.”
Trinity (4-6) outshot Salem (3-4) 20-16 and several of the Cougars’ shots were taken by Flossie Cooper, Maddie Bell and Mary Matthews over the first 15 minutes of play, but none of them went in the net.
Salem’s Leah Miller scored at 25:51 to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, and Callie Backherms scored at 9:20 to double the Lions’ lead to 2-0.
Cooper finally got a shot to go in, at 4:41 to cut the difference to 2-1, before Kaylea Klinglesmith scored with 2:19 to give Salem a 3-1 lead at the half.
“At halftime we were up on them on the number of shots on goal, and I’m pretty certain we finished the game that way as well,” Nolting said. “Our offense played so hard tonight. They were just constantly attacking and putting pressure on them. You’re going to get some shots when you do that. A lot of it was just placement. I was happy with how we played.”
The Cougars attempted a free kick with just over 31:15 remaining. The ball was rolling around in front of the net when Cooper attempted a shot but it didn’t go in. Hoene gained control of the ball and scored.
Hoene added another goal at 20:46 to tie the match at 3-3 before Backherms added her second goal at 17:14, and Charity McFelea added a goal at 8:11 to make it 5-3.
Cooper scored at 2:22 to close the scoring. Cooper and Bell were credited with assists.
“We came from behind and tied it, and we played hard to the end and scored that last goal,” Nolting said.
“We hope we get Salem in the draw. We’re a different team now. We’ll get Kailene Cockerham healthy and back in next week. With her presence on the field it gives us a few more opportunities. She’s aggressive. She can score goals as well. We’ve missed her the last two weeks.”
Trinity goalie Genesis Munoz had nine saves.