Site: Winston-Salem, N.C.

Score: N.C. Wesleyan 3, Salem 1

Records: Salem (6-9-1, 2-5-1 USA South) / N.C. Wesleyan (7-9-0, 4-4-0 USA South)

Up Next: Salem at Greensboro (Saturday, October 29 / 1 p.m.)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Olivia Nivens hit a header off a pass from teammate Layla Locklear in the 58th-minute of action, but it was a pair of first half goals by N.C. Wesleyan that made the difference as the Battling Bishops evened their USA South Conference mark to 4-4-0 with a 3-1 victory at Varsity Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Nivens' fourth goal of the season, which places her third on the team, came by virtue of a pass from Locklear. That marked Locklear's second assist of the slate for Salem.

The Battling Bishops assumed the 1-0 advantage in the fifth-minute when Isabel Neall scored an unassisted goal. Just over five minutes later, N.C. Wesleyan extended its lead to 2-0 on Caitlyn Butler's 12th goal of the slate.

Four minutes into the second half of play, in the 49th-minute, Vendela Dolsenius provided an insurance goal for the Battling Bishops when she drove a pass from Samantha Dell into the far left side of the net for the 3-0 advantage.

While Salem managed just one goal, the Spirits attempted 23 shots and 12 shots on goal. First year Darilyn Nieto was responsible for a match-high 11 shots, including six shots on goal. Meanwhile, Nivens came through with three shots, all in the direction of the goal.

N.C. Wesleyan had 16 shots on the match, including seven shots on goal, receiving five off the foot of Neall and four via Sam Dell.

Alexcina Wartski, who made her fourth straight start in net, closed the match with a save in 45 minutes of action. Senior classmate Jordan Tomberlin closed out the afternoon with three saves for the Spirits.

Anna Yeakey earned the victory in net for the Battling Bishops with six first half saves, while Jordan Fransee came on in the second frame and emerged with four saves.

SALEM NOTES
-Alexcina Wartski, who made her fourth straight start in net, closed the match with a save in 45 minutes of action.
-Senior classmate Jordan Tomberlin closed out the afternoon with three saves for the Spirits.
-While Salem managed just one goal, the Spirits attempted 23 shots and 12 shots on goal.
-First year Darilyn Nieto was responsible for a match-high 11 shots, including six shots on goal.
-Olivia Nivens capped off the day with her fourth goal of the season, giving her 11 points on the slate by virtue of three assists.
-Salem is now 7-3-0 in the head-to-head series with N.C. Wesleyan with the Battling Bishops claiming their first-ever win at Varsity Field.