RALEIGH, N.C. -- Jessica Wallace scored the lone goal for the Angels as the visiting Salem Spirits downed Meredith College soccer Saturday afternoon. The Spirits advance as the only remaining undefeated team in the USA South East Division.
Salem's Jordan Lanier opened the scoring with a high floater just out of reach of Jaisa Loch. The ball grazed the post and rolled into the box to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at 19:54.
The Angels fouled Salem at 31:33 to offer a free kick to Alyssa Denkovich, but a Loch deflected the attempt with a spectacular dive to her right to prevent the score. On the other end of the turf, Wallace slipped past the Spirit keeper to tie the match seconds later with her sixth goal on the season.
The aggressive battle continued as coaches regularly replaced tired players with fresh legs, and both teams fought for field position. But Salem's Chaniece Moss finished off a pass from Lanier to give the Spirits a 2-1 advantage with just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation.
Meredith's Lainey Nicholson gave Meredith one final opportunity at the net, but the shot floated wide.
Loch posted 10 saves in her fourth season loss for the Avenging Angels, and Salem's Hannah Wagner earned her fifth win in goal for the Spirits with two stops on the day.
The Angels remain at home next week for a 6 p.m. kickoff versus the N.C. Wesleyan Bishops Wednesday, Oct. 11. Follow the action live HERE.
