On Monday, Aug. 23, the Salem High School Girls’ Soccer Team opened their season at home against Christian Academy.

Offensively, Salem controlled the ball and the field better than their visitors, but some defensive breakdowns led to two scores by the opponents. Salem lost 2-1.

All scoring took place in the first half. Salem took possession at the opening kickoff and controlled the ball well. The Lady Lions scored just 3 ½ minutes into the game, when sophomore forward Mel Cooke received a drop pass from her sophomore forward teammate, Kelsey Campbell several yards outside the penalty arc. “Mel launched a beautiful strike from about 30 yards out, which is a long shot for high school soccer,” commented head coach Tom Scifres. The line drive shot cleared the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand and dropped just under the crossbar, lifting Salem to 1-0 early. “I pretty much thought we were going to control this one, just like last year,” Scifres said in reference to last year’s 6-0 victory at Christian Academy.

When the Lady Lions took possession, they did control the ball and the tempo, taking 7 shots (3 on-goal) in the first half, and 19 shots (8 on-goal) in the second. Their opponents only got off 8 shots (3 on-goal) the entire game. “They only two shots they took on-goal in the first half both went in, and they were only able to get into position to take those shots because of very light defensive pressure.”

“We worked hard enough that game to win, and our players are good enough to beat that team. Unfortunately, we saw the importance of smart, pressure defense and how all that effort goes down the drain if you don’t apply your abilities on both sides of the ball.”

Salem’s next contest is at home Thursday against North Harrison at 6 p.m.