BRIDGEPORT, West Virginia - On a dreary day at The Bridge Sports Complex, Salem men's soccer team had a tough foe in front of them in the form of the University of Pikeville Bears. Salem struggled early, but rode an excellent 2nd half to a strong 5-1 over Pikeville. 

In the first half, neither team took initial control of the game as they took some time to adjust to the blustery conditions. Pikeville would draw first blood with a goal midway through the period, and the Bears maintained the 1-0 into the intermission.

After the break, Salem came out determined to take control of the game. Namely, Guilherme Benites knotted the game up at 1 shortly after the break off of an assist from Ionut Rares Gaspar. Shortly thereafter, Benites would add 2 more goals. The first was from a long crossing pass from Jonathan Van Diermen. The final goal of the Benites hat trick was unassisted as he found a break in the Bears backline and slipped one past the goalkeeper. Energized from the Benites performance, Salem would add 2 more goals in the waning minutes of the game. Both of those goals came from the foot of Andrea Fincato. From there, Salem had the game well in hand, anc bruised to the strong 5-1 win. 

On the stats sheet, the obvious leader was Guilherme Benites with his 3 goal performance. Andrea Fincato was right behind him with 2 goals. Jonathan Van Diermen, Ionut Rares Gaspar, and Ben Lam each had 1 assist for the Tigers as well. In goal, Ruben Piljman had 2 saves on the day. 

Salem will be looking to turn this win into a streak as they are slated for their final home game of the season on October 22nd against Roberts Wesleyan College at 2 pm. That game will be played at Catalano Stadium.